The implementation phase

The execution stage involves the practical attack to a system. The construct which we have proposed is to be converted into the feasible signifier. This is the stage which is to the full dependent on the design stage. What we have designed is to be written, compiled and tested. Thus it is a stage which translates the design into the codification that really performs the undertaking. It may take several loops of the theoretical account to bring forth a on the job plan. Implementation besides affects the testing and care of the developed system. As plans get more complicated, proving and debugging entirely may non be plenty to bring forth dependable codification. Alternatively, it is required to compose plans in a mode that will guarantee that mistakes are caught or avoided. Implementation includes user presentment, user preparation, installing of hardware, installing of package onto production computing machines, and integrating of the system into day-to-day work processes. This stage continues until the system is runing in production in conformity with the defined user demands. As described earlier the tool used is MATLAB so the designing signifier is really easy. The separate codification has been written for the happening the sentence similarity step and sentence bunch methods. In this chapter the construction of execution is described along with the assorted files which are involved in the execution of the undertaking. Figure 5.1 Summarization of Work The figure shows the that the anticipation will execute on the user petition so that the prefetched petition will direct as the answer.Implementation StairssHere merely specify some stairss which was necessary at clip of execution. The work is implemented in a individual MATLAB file. In this work there is demand of a web log fileGenerate web log file:In this work at that place was a little web site implemented in php in order to bring forth web log has used. After running this web site web has generate on web waiter.Log Pre-Processing-Along with that of import information there is besides some inconsistent informations like noise, void value and other mistake information which is non so of import for web personalization so in order better web excavation consequence its demand to polish web log file before excavation. Data cleansing, user and session designation, informations integrating and so on are chief of import portion of log pre processing.Datas Cleaning: –In proposed me thodological analysis informations cleaning procedure usage to recognized utile item and take unwanted and excess noise and shop in informations base after standardization.User & A ; Session designation: – User and session designation is really of import measure towards web personalization by and large IP reference is used to separate but when there is an proxy waiter so figure of user holding same IP reference so some more attribute like browses information, runing system and Refer URI field is used as per concern.F-P tree for frequent page coevals: – Proposed algorithms used F-P growing [ 4 ] construct to bring forth frequent web page. F-P growing algorithms usage to bring forth frequent point set without demand to bring forthing candidate point set so it is really clip efficient to utilize F-P growing.Assignment of comparative weight-Proposed algorithms usage Weight regulation construct to delegate comparative weight to each page with regard to each other page. This comparative weight is use to stand for chance of page P petition merely after page Q.Weighted Markov matrix: – proposed algorithms usage M*M two dimensional tabular array to hive away comparative weight. M is entire figure of alone dealing /page that had be identify in above measure. for illustration comparative weight of P wrt Q is store at qth row and pth column so at clip pre bringing if q page is called so at qth row the page holding highest comparative weight is to be pre fetched with page Q.ConsequencesIn this subdivision we attached the assorted screen shootings in order to demo the end products of the proposed work. As we discussed about the environment of execution these end products are generated by the MATLAB. Figure 5.1 is the first measure of our executing. This window has some option in order to pull out the coveted consequence. This GUI window generate with the executing of the codification. For this we have to run the MATLAB file from the bid window of MATLAB of merely snaping right of our mouse and choose the option of tally. Figure 5.1 Startup Window This window generated by put to deathing the.m file of codification which shows that this is a MATLAB file. Figure 5.2 shows the working of â€Å"Load Log File† button. This is besides a welcome window of the execution. Figure 5.2 First measure to run the codification When we click on the button â€Å"Load Log File† so our log file will lade in informations base. After lading the log file at that place will a message box appears as a welcome message every bit good as to conformed that information base has successfully loaded of the provided log file. Here pages which have the highest frequence of call will demo in â€Å"selected pages† . In this figure we can see the five pages. It means all users call these five pages largely. Now, get down the executation by snaping on the â€Å"Start† button. When we start the executation some other option will enable. First one is shown in this figure. Figure 5.3 Choice of Page After lading the log file first option â€Å"Select the naming page† will demo the list of all web pages avalabel in the log file. We need to choose the page for which Pre-fetching needed. Figure 5.3 shows the list of available pages. This is a run clip option which is enalbe after the snaping the start button for executing. These consequences can be change on the footing of user petition. These user petitions will alter the log file and there will be the possibility to alter the consequence of Pre-fetching the pages. Finally when we get these consequences as pages these pages will direct to the client side.GraphThis graph shows the clip complexness of the assorted methods. It seems to us that the proposed method is more accurate than the other. Figure 5.4 Graph for clip complexness In this graph we have compare the clip complexness of assorted methods in order to prefetch the right page. As shows in graph there are many techniques have done this work in old clip. In footings of infinite we need big infinite so that it is non infinite efficient. This graph shows the infinite complexness of the old methods and the proposed method. Here proposed method has high infinite complexness. Figure 5.5 Graph to Show Space Complexity We need big size of infinite due to utilize of immense informations base. It besides need big infinite for high figure of regulations used for pre-fetching the page.ComplexityTime Complexity-Proposed methodological analysis for taking determination refering pre-fetch page holding extra overhead clip needed to measuring the petition from any client. Existing Systolic tree construct uses systolic Tree to hive away comparative weight and clip taken for taking determination about pre-fetch page is O ( Log N ) where N is height of tree, whereas proposed technique uses 2D tabular array that take O ( 1 ) for pre-fetching individual page as shown in figure 5.4. The Table 5.1 gives the elaborate clip analysis between proposed technique, weighted regulation theoretical account and Markov Model. Table 5.1: Time Comparison Space Complexity– In footings of infinite proposed methodological analysis is moderate because it needs big infinite as compared to weighted tree methodological analysis but much lesser than field Markov theoretical account. Figure 5.5 shows the infinite complexness proposed technique, Weighted regulation and Markov theoretical account. Here the graph shows that the infinite complexness of proposed method is much lesser than markov theoretical account but small spot more than leaden tree Concept theoretical account. Table 5.2: Space Comparison Chapter 6 CONCLUSION AND FUTURE WORKDecisionThere are big figure of web application has been used for the assorted intent. These applications should be good at its response clip. Therefore the web caching and web Pre-fetching are the attacks which can be applicable for the heightening the response clip of a web application. This paper is a appraisal on these attacks. These constructs come under the web excavation so here we besides covered the web excavation. This paper besides throws some visible radiation on the old work as in the related work. In related work we found that the web Pre-fetching can use on any web application. This attack can use with assorted schemes. In the current research a new method is proposed utilizing FP growing Tree and Markov Model. The proposed method is applied along with comparative weight construct for pre-fetching. The consequence analysis shows that proposed method utilizing FP Growth tree and Markov theoretical account have moderate clip and infinite complexness as comparison to old one. This method is besides best suited for pre-fetch the page of a web site as shown in the consequence.FUTURE WORKThe thesis work is a solution in order to pre-fetch the web page every bit fast as possible. It is necessary to heighten the public presentation of the web waiter and supply the fast service to the clients. The proposed work is besides a measure to get the better of this job. The proposed theoretical account used two techniques to work out the above job in efficient mode. Consequences shows that proposed methodological analysis have high degree of infinite complexness. Graphs besides shows that regulation used in proposed method are small bit more than old techniques. The way for future work is to minimise the infinite complexness of this proposed technique. It is besides possible to cut down the regulations which can assist to get the better of the infinite complexness.

Knowledge Management Life Cycle

Executive summaryThe concept of Knowledge Management comes from the very definition to capture information and content for deriving a value out of it after performing some meaningful operations.  The life cycle would contemplate the process of knowledge procurement to final derivation of meaningful information for processing and further integration.  The identification of several categories which would act as placeholders for the information must be in right hands equipped with right tools so that appropriate function is performed with it.Knowledge Management Life cycleThe step 1 in this process is the identification of the fact that knowledge is king to any organisation and its evaluation, processing and its implementation must be identified in the proper context so as to capitalize on the resources for its optimum usage.Figure 1 : KM CycleThe first task is the formation of Knowledge Management (KM) teams so that the information falls into the right hands for successful processi ng. The KM teams are responsible for procurement of the information, after a thorough analysis of the business scenario. It is also decided whether the system is feasible to handle the KM process from its thought generation stage to post evaluation stage. The economic, technical and behavioral feasibility is obtained at the first level. After evaluating costs, schedule the process takes a momentum for further proceeding. The key stakeholders of the system are the crucial components and are the burning fuel for successful proceeding with the project.The second stage is the ‘What’ and ‘How’ of the system, meaning what needs to be done? And how will one do it? The capture of knowledge must be identified and analyzed thoroughly so that everything works out successfully in the initiation phase.  The third phase is the process of development. Unless the process is identified accurately, the motive of the KM system remains quite incomplete in nature. What to be processed and the objective for doing it? – the meaning must be quite clear at this level. The processing logic is devised by the expert or a set of experts. The business objectives behind the KM process must be evaluated quite well.The fourth phase would mark the designing of the blueprint which would hold information about the scope of the KM system, its interoperability and scalability issues, required system components and the system design and implementation techniques (Awad, 2001). After the roll of the blueprint the system has got a definition of the exact requirements it desires to cater. The system development is started at this level using a RAD model.  After the design is complete the system architecture is set up and all the inputs and outputs are well highlighted through the use of user interface, authentication issues, collaborative agents, application layer, internet layer, and the physical layout of the system (Fan, 2003). After the development phase, the KM system is verified and validated for any errors and defects.After all the stages are over, the final implementation takes the role of implementation where the present legacy system. It requires conversion of the existing system into the new or transferring the essential components into the new KM system. The final stage is user training and feedback mechanism which adds a new dimension to the system and it creates a self learning environment for further incorporating the deficiencies of the dynamic business scenario (McElroy, 1999).A very challenging environment would be to integrate all the systems in the organizations so that information derived from them can be successfully captured for deriving knowledge which would enter a cycle for further derivation of innovative thoughts for the long term success of the business.ConclusionThe KM process is quite essential for managing the information in any organization and deriving greater innovative business thoughts from the information flow in the business and its correct representation and identification of resources for growth and prosperity in enveloping challenges.References/BibliographyFan Yushan (2003). Knowledge Network and Knowledge Management. See: www.simflow.net/Publications/Papers /Year2003/ljq_ICAM03_0312.pdf   

Critically discuss the view that capital markets created the Essay - 2

Critically discuss the view that capital markets created the conditions that led to the new economy bubble and the banking crisis - Essay Example It is because of this reason that capital markets are considered to play a very significant role in the economic performance of any country, and therefore, they have a high influence on major economic indicators or drivers. Based on the significance of capital markets in the national economy of any country, this study seeks to discuss the view that capital markets created the conditions that led to the â€Å"new economy† bubble and the banking crisis. This study will support this view because of the simple fact that it has already been established that the capital markets plays a key role in the national economy and, therefore, it is equally able to create conditions that lead to bubbles and bursts within the economy. In order to validate this view, the essay will first discuss the concept of ‘new economy’ bubble and banking crisis and their correlation with the capital markets. The second part of the study will provide case examples, which will act as evidence to the fact that the capital markets created the conditions that lead to the new economy bubble and the banking crisis. The third part of the study will discuss the implications that globalization have on the capital markets. According to the writings by Kelly (1998), he referred to the term ‘new economy’ as the result of a shift that occurs when the economy moves from being based on the manufacturing sector to being based on the service sector. Alcaly (2003) noted in her research studies that this particular term was coined during the dot com bubble that occurred during the late 1990s and even the early part of 2000s. During this period, Alcaly (2003) argued that there were high levels of growth, which meant that there was an increase in the employment opportunities, and the inflation rate even declined, which resulted to optimistic predictions that were a bit exaggerated and based on irrational thinking. This is because the new economy era proved to have

To answer questions Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

To answer questions - Essay Example s of courage (Detmer 76).For both of Sartre’s existential concepts, I both agree that the level of courage that one has also determines his or her ability to experience freedom and authenticity. This is exemplified through various ways, and can be as simple as disagreeing to what other people say and standing up for what one believes or just agreeing even if the inner self experiences conflicts such as resentment or disbelief to what others say. Visualization and visioning may have similar principles such as forming ideas or mental images inside one’s mind, but what sets the two apart is the purpose of creating these ideas or images. In the visualization process for example, people would just generally create a mental image without any other purpose other than its creation, and after sometime this mental image is allowed to disappear without any emotional attachments to it. However, with regards to visioning, the creation of mental images or ideas is built with a purpose, and that these mental images are much more deeply-connected to what a person aspires or wants (Bennet 274). Further differences can be explained through examples: for visualization, more often than not the mental images are created at random or as deemed necessary by other people through suggestions, and a person’s feelings may or may not in effect helped create it in any way. However, if this same person tries to create a vision for the self , this mental image gains associations to a person’s emotions, in such a way that these thoughts can describe what one likes or does not like based on what emotions that these mental images can evoke (â€Å"The Secret†). In a way, visioning is a much stronger mental exercise than visualization since aside from the mind, the emotions also become involved in creating mental images, further engaging a person to this activity and

Observation exericise Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Observation exericise - Essay Example It’s not the dead body, the violence, the physical abuse, and the blood, that thrill me; there is something more. When the camera is focused on a dead victim, I usually turn my face away from what I’m viewing. I hate blood and killing in films either. I’m not a sadist or a violence-prone individual. I’m just a growing up student of films and suspenseful stories of people, their psyche, temperament, and all the circumstances that lead to an individual’s urge to commit crimes. It’s the entire concept of investigation that thrills me; it’s the whole police/crime story. When the main character is able to solve the crime after the complex process of investigation, the climax, the problems are solved, and all the other flaws are resolved, that’s when I’m able to relax and say, â€Å"It’s a great movie. It’s been a fine day.† I like the movies. Before when there were not enough movies on crime and police stories, I would content myself with love stories, and such other childhood films, like musicals and teenage fantasy stories. But as I grew up, the influence of crime fiction in films made a mark on me. But I also love romance, adventure, and fantasy in my teenage life. These I would find in books and magazines, but more on films. What is so striking about police and crime stories is that they can be mixed with other genre, like love story, or a crime of passion, and adventure as the main protagonist goes on solving the crime. The answer to these questions maybe simple, but complex: first, I love the movies being shown in a movie theater, not movies shown or made for television; second crime fiction gives me thrilling and suspense feeling. It is a normal subject for suspense/thriller films. I usually watch it in the evening, alone, and give myself all the time to appreciate the story. This kind of genre tickles my imagination. There are some questions

Foundations of the Development and Functions of Police Assignment

Foundations of the Development and Functions of Police - Assignment Example Job security was not guaranteed for anyone as anyone could be at will and a replacement found immediately. Policing was termed as ineffective since communication and transport services were not up to code. Most of the officers engaged in corruption and misconduct and bribes were offered to the public for them not to apply the law. During the political era, location of people complained of difficulty in contacting the police for help. There were constant complaints of police harassment, and they did not enjoy support from the resident. Due to high turnover in the force police had become unpopular in the country (Walker 1977). The reform era of policing was brought about by government reforms and growth of the progressive political establishment which sought to improve the livelihoods of the citizens. The changes made involved removal of police from political control to a more standardized bureaucratic system. The police supervision improved, and no misconduct could pass through the system unnoticed. There was an emphasis on statistics and police effectives was measured on the number of arrests made, number of a tickets issued and other police based activities. Emphasis on quality community relationships was discarded as police had to deal with more pressing matters of narcotic control, increased crime and arrest of criminals. Conversely, special police forces were formed to deal with specialised problems such as SWAT, vice and narcotics. Reforms from the political era helped to eliminate corruption from the police force. The primary reason the police existed was to prevent crime and their efficiency was measured by the absence of criminal activity. The reform era also saw the establishment of police academies where police were trained, and only qualified candidates were recruited to the force (Palmiotto, 1999). The law enforcement academies serve as training grounds for recruits into the police force. They include various background

International Management 9 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

International Management 9 - Essay Example Determination is the driving force and he advocates for survival even through hardships and setbacks (Daft 2002). The CEO of Virgin Group is a team builder; Branson has realized his capabilities as a leader and due to these he has endeavored to build a working team to complement those areas he perceives to be weak in (Mintzberg 2004 & Peterson 2003). He has a sense of respect for ethical and moral issues for the workers and gives them fair recognition and appreciation, he is loyal to those he works with however he has tough negotiation and interpersonal skills and very ruthless (Mayer 2004 & Parker 2007). Charismatic is another description of Branson, whether learnt behavior of an element of personality is not important, but he has managed to stay charming to his partners and business associates and clients (Judge et al 2002), and this makes him able to become what he wants especially when he appears in public. He is a team builder playing role in team building activities like games and stunts. One of the critical point of his team building activity is the appointment of the management team. Studies indicate that the team has profound influence on the strategy implemented by the organization especially the top leaders (Daft 2002). He provides incentives and creative processes that are autonomous to an extent that they are given shareholding allowance. Global marketing calls for diversity. One such diversified business is the virgin Atlantic company, operating in planes, trains and space shuttle, and Sir Richard Branson in the chairman of the business. He has adopted the global management strategy that is founded on creativity, sound decision making and visionary approach. Sir Richard Branson leadership strategy is very effective and it is bound to work even in future, this is because he is a visionary leader who does not restrict the development of his business

Discussion on Price and Purchase Indexes Dissertation

Discussion on Price and Purchase Indexes - Dissertation Example There is a continuous inflation as years increase from the base of 1999, the strongest inflations being found in petroleum at 44%, vegetables at 25%, housing at 11% and meat products at 10%. Alcohol and tobacco prices have also increased by about 20% since 1999. This shows that prices on necessities such as food and housing have a dramatic increase over previous years. The average increases per year in comparison to 1999 are: There was an increase in vegetable sales in 2001, but as prices skyrocketed by 2002, sales fell away-being the only one to decrease in 2002. There are several inferences that can be made from this statement, the first being that people are not buying vegetables because of the cost, and the second being that since all other purchase categories increased, we can assume that family size also increased-this leaves a hole in healthy eating habits of our residents. Meat purchases increased by 32%, tobacco and petroleum by 60%. Probably the most disturbing inference to be made from this table and one that points to a serious problem for the quality of life in Chignor is that alcohol purchases have increased by 100%. Average purchasing increases show that since 1999, purchases increased dramatically in 2002. If we remove alcohol and tobacco as being unnecessary to a healthy lifestyle, the increase in 2002 is 23.25% compared to 1999, which is far more dramatic than previous years. This shows that meat and petroleum purchases have increased, which leads to the possibility that there are more people in the Chignor area, and raises a consideration that vegetable sales have actually decreased from 2001-2002, very possibly because TECCO employees can simply not afford to buy vegetables. Year Increase % 2000 1.75 2001 9.9 2002 42.08 Income Index Last, we need to examine the incomes of residents. In 2000-2001, there is a 6 percent increase in TECCO employees incomes from 1999, but there was not an increase from 2000 to 2001 (no pay raises). Furthermore,

Describe State Plans and discuss what must be demonstrated by the Assignment

Describe State Plans and discuss what must be demonstrated by the states, including the process, to be an approved OSHA State Plan - Assignment Example oved OSHA State Plan, first, a state must put the necessary measures and assure OSHA that within a period of three years, it will have implemented all the structural elements that are significant for an appropriate occupational and health program. Some of the elements that a state must put in place include; appropriate laws, regulations, procedures for setting up standards, enforcing the legislations, appeal of both the citations and penalties and lastly a state must have a sufficient number of enforcement personnel who are qualified. Once the state accomplishes the above requirements, it is eligible for certification. This signifies structural completeness of the overall plan (Government Institutes Inc, Government Institutes Research Group, 2007). Once the state indicates that it can be able to enforce standards independently, it enters into an agreement with OSHA. This agreement is referred to as operation status agreement. Lastly after the state has accomplished all the requirements by OSHA, it is accredited final approval which grants OSHA authority to cover and monitor all occupation safety and health safety of the state (Government Institutes Inc, Government Institutes Research Group,

Modern Technology Has Brought the Resurgence of Identity Theft Essay Example for Free

Modern Technology Has Brought the Resurgence of Identity Theft Essay Identity theft is one crime that has spawned from technological advancements. Criminals have developed numerous strategies on how to steal confidential and personal information. Dealing with identity theft may be a challenge since law enforcement personnel may not be fully competent in handling the cases since they may lack the required skills to be able to deal with such a crime while private people and even businesses have lost much because of this type of crime. The number of cases of identity theft has been constantly on the rise; however, the prevalence of the crime may as well be blamed on modern technology itself. Modern technology has brought about many conveniences for ordinary people and even for identity thieves. From only less than 10,000 reported cases of identity theft in 1999, the figure steadily climbed reaching around 50,000 in 2003 and more than 80,000 in 2006 (Infocycle, 2007). In the United Kingdom, credit card fraud has also been consistently increasing. In 2007, over 7,000 credit cards and debit cards were either lost or stolen. CPP Card Protection has indicated a 77 percent increase in credit card fraud compared to the figure on 2006 (Experian QAS, 2008). According to a study by Gartner, identity theft claimed 15 million victims in 2006 alone. The US Justice Department has recorded 226 cases of identity theft in 2005 but in the first half of 2006 alone, there were already 432 cases. The FBI also indicated that it is working on 1,587 cases relating to identity theft (ITRC, 2007). Preventing identity theft may not be as easy as it seems. Joel Reidenberg and Lawrence Lessig said concentrating on the â€Å"architectures of control† to prevent identity theft is the way to go. Solove, on the other hand, indicates that â€Å"architectures of vulnerability† should also be considered in addition to â€Å"architectures of control†. According to Solove, shaping architectures should be the focal point in the protection of privacy and not on remedies and penalties. He noted that architectures often provide a vulnerable point that identity thieves take advantage of. It is this lack of security that identity thieves are able to use a person’s personal information. He suggests that a public identification system be created as a solution to the problem (Solove, 2003). It is exactly new technology that produces these architectures and they are greatly flawed since many people can still bypass its security functions evidenced by the prevalence of identity theft on the Internet. Identity theft has gained much notoriety in the advent of buying and selling on the Internet. However, identity thieves can still use the old methods for obtaining personal information. Common methods are stealing wallets or mails, looking through residential trashcans or business dumpsters, posing as someone legally permitted to access personal information such as credit reports, or bribing their way to get the information (Newman, et. al. 2005). A phishing scam is another method of getting personal information out of a person. The Anti-Phishing Workgroup indicated that there are only 4,564 phishing websites in July 2005 but the number increased to 23,670 as of July 2006. A study at the University of Indiana also indicated that 14 percent of phishing scams are successful which contradicts the Gartner report which indicates only a three percent success rate. The Gartner research also found out that financial losses from phishing scams were $137 million in 2004 rising to $2. 8 billion in 2006 (ITRC, 2007). The fight against identity theft may be considered rather ineffective since law enforcement personnel lack the necessary resources to combat such a crime which is computer-related. Britz indicates that this kind of crime requires law enforcers to have knowledge of computers and other digital stuff. It may be noted that many law enforcement agencies do not have well-trained personnel to handle such cases. These personnel may also be acting several capacities at a given time. Computer technology has increased at an exponential rate as did technology related crime and this would require that law enforcers be trained to effectively handle such crimes (Britz, 2004). As technology improves, security is being compromised and this can be proven by the increasing number of identity theft crimes. While it is true that online banking and other services on the Internet provide much convenience, it also provides lesser risks of capture for identity thieves. Law enforcers could do little do prevent identity theft or to investigate such since not all of them have the capacity to do so and identity thieves are improving their arsenal of identity stealing techniques. Technology might also be considered as the root of the prevalence of identity theft. Even as identity theft was not considered a crime before 1998, it has existed for a long time. Modern computing and telecommunications technology has once again popularized identity theft since identity thieves can better elude law enforcers compared to going to a bank and making a transaction using stolen information (Arnold, 2000). Legislation has always tried to address cyber crime, but it is challenging for lawmakers to keep up since technology quickly evolves and cyber crime evolves with it. A good approach would be improving security measures, educating users, adopting a vigilant approach in combating cyber crime and a police force that is well-equipped to handle such crimes (Alaganandam, et. al. , 2005). Identity theft and other cyber crimes are also classified as white-collar crimes, thus, offenders do not receive harsh penalties. They can even use the money plundered to pay for their defense and they serve at least only one year in prison (Arnold, 2000). Identity thieves must be dealt with harsher penalties since they operate on a much larger scale today and are even comparable to bank robbers only less inclined to being caught and given much less media attention. The number of cases of identity theft is increasing at an exponential rate but this could most likely be blamed on modern technology especially since the Internet has become commercialized. New technology comes with new opportunities for identity thieves to gain access to personal information and using it for personal gains. Legislation can address this problem but it would prove to be a challenge since identity thieves are finding new ways of how to steal personal information as technology develops. Legislation must also address this by rendering harsher penalties for cyber criminals as they operate just like ordinary criminals, the only difference is that they work discreetly and have not been given media attention. Also, the victims do not really know that they have been victimized until after some time the thieving takes places. References Alaganandam, H. , Mittal, P. , Singh, A. , Fleizach, C. , 6 December 2005. Cybercriminal Activity. Retrieved September 7, 2008, from sysnet. ucsd. edu/~cfleizac/WhiteTeam-CyberCrime. pdf Arnold, T. 2000 June. Internet Identity Theft: A Tragedy for Victims. Software and Information Industry Association. Retrieved September 7, 2008, from www. siia. net/software/pubs/iit-00. pdf Britz, M. (2004). Computer Forensics and Cyber Crime: An Introduction. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall. Experian QAS. 22 August 2008. Holiday Fraud Threat. Retrieved September 3, 2008, from http://www. qas. co. uk/company/data-quality-news/holiday_fraud_threat_2614. htm Identity Theft Resource Center. 30 April 2007. Facts and Statistics. Retrieved September 3, 2008, from http://www. idtheftcenter. org/artman2/publish/m_facts/Facts_and_Statistics. shtml Infocycle. (2007). Government Bodies Must Play Their Part in Securing Against Identity Theft. Retrieved September 3, 2008, from http://www. infocycle. co. uk/index. php? option=com_contenttask=viewid=43Itemid=43 Newman, G. McNally, M. 2005 July. Identity Theft Literature Review. Retrieved September 3, 2008, from http://www. ncjrs. gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/210459. pdf. Solove, D. (2003). Privacy, and the Architecture of Vulnerability. Hastings Law Journal, 54. p. 1227. Retrieved September 3, 2008, from http://ssrn. com/abstract=416740

Business Plan For Sandton Fitness Centre Marketing Essay

Business Plan For Sandton Fitness Centre Marketing Essay Sandton fitness centre and beauty spa is a new gym that is for everyone (male and female) that creates a comfortable environment for everyone to pursue their fitness goals. It is situation in Sandton at Johannesburg. Sandton fitness centre and beauty spa have the most satisfactory/best equipment, best personal trainers, dietician, special classes and psychologists. Sandton fitness centre and beauty spa is located in the urban where people have a very active life and very little time to spend on fitness and healthy life. Heart disease and obesity are on record high causing increase in health club demand. Low income market segment is ignored by key competitors in the market Club memberships in South Africa have increased every year since 1994 and a strong market makes a strong business. We are a solid investment because start-up sports gyms on average take in 1,000 new members per year. This will allow our business to break even in less than five years. Our club, Sandton Fitness Center will offer its members quality services and benefits that no other club can offer. We want to take investments and use them wisely in order to create a sports facility that pleases customers. In sports clubs, the top five most profitable programs/services are personal training, massage therapy, food/beverages, an aquatics program, and a tennis program. Our gym will provide all of these services and thus increase our productivity. We will build a large complex that will include a pool, personal training facilities, basketball courts, a day spa, tennis courts, and many other features to attract clientele. In Sandton were our fitness center will be situated has 20 to 64 year old population. This means not only that our clientele pools is large but that these people are experienced and have attained the socioeconomic status that will be needed in order to attain and maintain our service. In conclusion, our profitable new gym will be a coordinated effort among four aspiring entrepreneurs to create the ultimate in sports and leisure fitness. Company Description Sandton Fitness Centre and Beauty Spa are focused on teenagers (13+), young adults and adults. Sandton Fitness Centre has its different programs for different age groups. Sandton Fitness Centre is 55,000 square feet. It is located in 1560 Grayston Street, in Sandton. Sandton Fitness Centre and Beauty spa also have a childcare centre, where they look after children while their parents are busy with their workouts. The childcare centre can currently care for 40 children but only 10 infants. Sandton Beauty Spa is a new destination offering customers the combination of full body massage, waxing, body treatments, facials, manicures, pedicures, anti- aging treatments and lasers. Company history Fitness Centre and Beauty spa was created on 14 February 2007, to provide busy and working people with a fitness centre and a beauty spa. Fit centre and a beauty spa all combined surprised and made people excited. Fitness centre is privately financed by businessman and investors. More than 80,000 was invested into the company. The money covered equipments, advertising campaigns, flyers, posters, advertising an internet and to create a domain name. the company struggled for long, most people preferred the gym not the beauty spa, because they were complaining and worried about the costs. So the centre had to lower them a little bit. Sales were also less. So Fitness centre decided to make specials every after two months and on special occasions like Valentines Day and birthdays, but only on the beauty spas side. The gym price remains the same. At the end things got better. Mission statements Create members workout environment that promoters confidence in our clients. Fitness centre and beauty spa provides our members with beauty treatment at a fair price and competitive price, while providing with the high level of customers service and satisfaction. Our business is focused on everyone most especially celebrities who care a lot about fitness and looking good. Product and Services Fitness Centre and Beauty Spa Services are the following: Fitness centre has a professional personal trainer who will assist everyone in the gym. Our personal trainers assist you with a exercise program. Fitness Centre also has a qualified dietician who will help each member on his/her best and healthy food to eat. Inside the gym there are paramedics who are there to help people if may be a member gets injured or collapses, or any other sickness, they are there full time. Fitness Centre has also hired a qualified psychologist, who will help with lots of stress and encouraging them for a way forward to live a healthy life. Beauty Spa Services Full body massage Waxing Manicure Pedicure Anti ageing treatments Facials Lasers Offer creams and beauty product on sale Industry analysis Size The health and fitness market is very large and still growing more and more because of the health revolution people have become more health conscious in an effort to preserve and prolong their lives due to the fast pace living style of today. The fitness and health industry is a 40 billion dollar that is fast paced and innovative and highly competitive. In South Africa the market is not matured yet it is still in its infancy at the moment. Growth The international health and fitness industry has grown approximately 12% for the past decade with the exception with 2009 it decreased 3 % due to the slow down of consumer spending because of the global credit crisis. Locally the health and fitness industry has also grown especially because of the performance of one the leaders of the local health and fitness industry Planet fitness was voted the best performing companies of 2010 despite the slow down of the economy. Sales projection The over all industry is expected to only grow 10% because of the high unemployment and poor consumer spending meaning that people are reluctant to spend their money spending only on absolute necessities. Industry structure The South African health and fitness industry is dominated by a handful of large firms being Virgin Active, Planet fitness and Smart Gym. However these large health and fitness service providers are not exploring the entire market and meeting the specific needs that we have been able to identify in the market. They are to large to satisfy the distinctive needs of the entire market in terms of innovation and creativity and personalised serviced as well as the simplification of services. They are also slow to react to changes in the business environment as well as the new trends and developments in the world of health and fitness .For example the trend now is the simplification and ease of anything and everything that would complicate our life making use of creative and innovative ideas to increase life quality and prolong lives as long as possible. Critical Success Factors 1. Commitment At the Top. 2. Qualified Professional Staff. 3. Plan Then Proceed. 4. Location, Location, Location. 5. Right Size Right Cost. 6. Program to Match Needs 7. Effective Integration. 8. Right Price Minimal Discounts. 9. Commitment to Marketing and Sales. 10. Commitment to Outstanding Customer Service. 11. Measure, Manage and Measure Again. 12. Effective Communications with Members. Management Team and Company Structure The management team is comprised of all the founders of The Santon Health and Fitness Center Keleabetswe Sepengused, Marcelino Maliti Moises, Gonste Bokaba and Kgabo Lucia Mathibe. Director of Marketing and sales The director of marketing and sales is responsible for all the marketing of the company needs for example promotion, advertising, market research and sales Mrs. Keleabetswe Sepeng used to be the marketing and sales manager for Virgin Active from 2005 -2011 she will take charge of the same post in the new company. Mrs Sepeng is highly recognized in the industry and has a masters degree in marketing Chief Financial Officer The chief financial officer is responsible for the over all financial control and management of the company. The duties and responsibility involve creating control, managerial and evaluating measures for proper, ethical and legal financial control Mr. Marcelino M Moises will take the position of CFO Chief Financial Officer since he has the most qualified and has the most experience in the field after having worked for Planet fitness for over 10 years Mr. Marcelino has a Bachelor of Accounting Sciences and BA degree in Business Administrations Chief Executive Officer The chief executive officer is the highest position in the company, the duties and responsibilities of the CEO is the overall running of the entire organization, make decisions for the entire organizations .planning ,leading, organize ,controlling Mr. Gontse Bokaba will take the position of CEO Chief Executive Officer of the organization. Mr. Gontse Bokaba has worked for SAA South African Air Lines for more than 5 as the chief operations manager. Mr. Gontse Bokaba has a Master degree in Business Management Chief Operations Officer The chief operations officer is responsible planning, coordinating and managing the operations of the company theses include office administrations, overseeing that both products and services are Mrs. Kgabo Lucia Mathibe will exercise the position of COO Chief Operations officer or Managing Director because she has been the manager at a day Spar for many years so she has both insight and knows the beauty industry in and out. Mrs. Kgabo Lucia has a degree in Business Administrations and a master in Human resource management. As well as head the human resources department seeing as he has experience in recruiting and staffing. CEO Gontse DOM Keleabetswe CFO Marcelino COO Lucia Industry structure The South African health and fitness industry is dominated by a handful of large firms being Virgin Active, Planet fitness and Smart Gym. However these large health and fitness service providers are not exploring the entire market and meeting the specific needs that we have been able to identify in the market. They are to large to satisfy the distinctive needs of the entire market in terms of innovation and creativity and personalised serviced as well as the simplification of life. They are also slow to react to changes in the business environment as well as the new trends and developments in the world of health and fitness. Industry Trends Individual usage of fitness and health care training equipment has increased. Body work out and exercise has become a daily life routine of many people around the world in the last decade. Fitness memberships are increasingly getting popular in office environment around the world Companies are including health memberships as part of employee remuneration package. Long- Term Prospectus To ensure a continual development of the health and fitness industry in the country. To raise awareness of the increase of obesity and heart deceases in the country and to promote healthy living Market analysis Johannesburg is a capital city of Gauteng. It is the major harbor of South African business. All the major companies of business are based in Joburg. The current population of Johannesburg is 11million. All types of professions are found in Johannesburg. So, it is a competitive advantage to make business in Johannesburg. Market segmentation It focuses on fitness, health and beauty. Our target market when it comes to the gym, is for everyone especially families and for the beauty spa, our target market are young adults, male and female from the ages of 13-55 years. They have to earn a minimum of R3000 and more. For children between 13 and 20, parents have to be responsible for their membership. The money is going to be deducted every month in the parents accounts, for their childrens membership. The centre and beauty Spa would work very hard to see consumers being satisfied about what the centre delivers. Customers perceive more value from a good or service that seems to deliver more benefits for money. Market research will cover the following: customer needs, cultural elements, social connections, where family members, friends or associates can influence how, what, and when consumers buy, personnel elements, marketers for the fitness centre and beauty Spa. See opportunity in reaching young girls who are concentrating on their career and looking good when going to work and going out with friends, older women and men who are taking care of their health because of many diseases like obesity, high blood etc. Target market selection Target customers: the primary customer is children, young adults and adults. These customers are ages 12-65 years There approximately 3000 customers: 15% children, 50% young adults and 35 adults. 70%percent of young adults and adults are celebrities who spent most of their time at Sandton. Some of them homes are there. Competitors Analysis Our main competitors are Virgin Active, Planet Fitness and Smart gym Sandton Fitness Centre and Beauty Spa is the environment that is created in the facility. Our customers feel more relaxed and comfortable in a program that is focused on them. We have designed the childcare center to be visible from the main workout floor. Young mothers can oversee the child play while working out. Our main concern is to provide our customer with a direction who will organize each of our members healthy eating program and providing our members with a personal trainer who will ensure that a member do right exercise all the time according to his/her workout plan Marketing plan Sandton Fitness Center will focus on creating a brand image in the Johannesburg and Sandton area. We will Participate in the major events of health care awareness and education programs. Sandton Fitness Center will start by targeting low income segment of market downtown Sandton and Johannesburg area. We will convince people about the benefits and needs of wellness programs. This will be accomplished by aggressively pursuing interaction and relationships with peoples in public health awareness programs and by sending newsletters and emails through Social interactive websites like Face book, Twitter and Msn and Google messenger. Pricing Our prices and promotions are always subject to change especially when we take into account the fluctuating membership enrollments; however, for the most part our initial fees for our services will be R300 and R80 monthly for a general membership. We will also offer to customers the option of paying daily fees. This fee will be R50 charge for a days use of any service that our business provides. In addition we can offer to individuals the option of using exclusively our day spa for just one day. To use this option we will charge a standard fee of R25. For another pricing option we will give customers the option of paying an annual fee up front for R1, 100, this would be a saving of over R150. This move would benefit us as well considering we will see an immediate return on our investments allowing us to re-pay our debt quickly. This type of pricing will set us over many of our competitors rates; however the most important opponent will be outbid. Planet fitness, which comes closest t o what we provide, will be outbid by over R600 and other competitors do not offer the level of resources that we will sell to our customers. In this way we feel that the service we sell and the price we offer can overcome or compete heavily with every competitor in the market. PromotionPlan   We will attempt to use a variety of strategies in order to make contact with potential members. A fairly cheap and easily accessible form of advertisement will be the Internet. By running our own website, www.SandtonFitnessCenter.com we can reach a wide variety of customers. This is also a fairly cheap way in which to get our name out since it will only cost our company $9.95 to launch and run the site annually. Another cost effective way to market our name will be to have various sales promotions and use flyers to get the word out. By making use of the following mediums of communication newspapers, magazines, television and radio as the medium of advertisement. In addition they will print 5,000 brochures for creating awareness in the market about their health care services; they will be distributed in major health care seminars and events where officials from Fitness Plus will participate. Operational plan Service Execution Timeline: Sandton Fitness Center will follow this service execution model to enter in the health club market. General trainer payroll and even provide our members with online scheduling, registration, bill payment and more. Establishing and maintaining membership opportunities is essential to owning successful business and our business may have monthly specials or different membership level in order to maximize sales. Our online registration system allows families to complete registration 34/7 from any internet connected computer. We created custom club sign-up forms and website., process most types of payment, manage room to block and reservations, create name badges, auto sent reminder e-mails and mange our members over complete reports. Business Location Sandton Fitness Centre and Beauty Spar is located in Nelson Mandela Square at Sandton city, is only 25km from Johannesburg international airport Task February March April May June July August Choosing location Website development Hiring, training and admin staff Advertising Opening of health club Location: Sandton Fitness Center will start its business in main street area of Coral Gables; there is presence of already established health clubs such as Golds Gym and Coral Gables Adventure Boot camp. Legal Environment: There are no current legal obligations for Fitness Plus health club. Personnel: Fitness Plus will start with a total of 10 initial staff members that includes owners as well. Facilities and Equipment Fitness Centre offers a large selection of equipment: Treadmills (20) Bicycles (10) Steppers Stairmaster Body trek Cross aerobic trainer Weights Services: Sandton Fitness Center will provide following health related services: Aerobics Cycling Boxing Yoga Pilates Muscle Training Diabetes Obesity Control Beauty treatments eg. massages, pedicures, manicures, facials Benefits and Features: State of the art facility with latest equipment from quality manufacturers Low cost with monthly, quarterly and annual subscription plans. Personal qualified trainers to help our members achieving results without wasting much time Why people need this service? Health care and fitness club market in around South Africa have been serving to a high income segment of late. Average income of health club member is R 50000 as of 2006 survey. This leaves a large segment of low-income customers with unmet needs. Fitness Plus will primarily exist to provide health care facility to the lower income class without compromising on quality of service. Challenges: Fitness Plus will face a challenging situation in creating its brand image and attracting customers towards their services due to presence of already established players in the local market such as: Virgin Active Planet Fitness SmartGym Financial Plan Sources of Capital Investment requirement R5, 000,000 Total Investment R5, 000,000 Startup Expenses Health club development R1, 000, 000 Personnel R290, 000 Capital Expenditures R500, 000 Consulting Services R100, 000 Promotion R60, 000 Total Start-up Expenses R1, 950, 000 Our company, Sandton Fitness Center will meet capital needs by talking to various money sources. These sources will include family members, banks, venture capitalist, and personal savings. We hope to receive R5 million before we even begin our venture. By the first year we will be losing R2.4 million with an expected 1,000 members. By the second year we will have double our member to 2,000 and have a combined loss of R25 around 2.4 million including the first years losses. By the third year with 3,000 members, we will show a profit of R1 million. We hope by explaining this outlook to investors they will be convinced of our legitimate venture. Also by showing our belief in the company we each will invest R250,000. We project getting R3 million from venture capitalist and the rest of the money from a bank loan that would be paid off by the fifth year of operation. Pro forma Income Stament Projected Income Sandton Fitness Center Income Statement YEAR1 YEAR2 YEAR3 YEAR4 Sales R1,260,000.00 R 2,520.000 R3,780,000 R3,970,000 Net sales R1,260,000.00 R2,520,000 R3,780,000 R3,970,000 Gross Profit 0 R 1,077,520 R 1,267,521 Operating Expenses Payroll expense R551, 000.00 R551, 000 R 551,000 R 551,000 Payroll tax expense R38, 570.00 R38,570 R 38,570, R 38,570 Bad debts expense R194, 500.00 R194, 500.00 R194, 500.00 R194, 500.00 Promotional Expense R62, 009.95 R62, 009.95 R62, 009.95 R62, 009.95 Office supplies expense R220, 000.00 R220, 000.00 R220, 000.00 R220, 000.00 Utilities expense R120, 000.00 R120, 000.00 R120, 000.00 R120, 000.00 Insurance expense R200, 000.00 R200, 000.00 R200, 000.00 R200, 000.00 In-club entertainment R1, 000.00 R1, 000.00 R1, 000.00 R1, 000.00 Lease costs for building R1, 200,000.00 R1, 200,000.00 R1, 200,000.00 R1, 200,000.00 Depreciation expense, office equipment R15, 400.00 R15, 400.00 R15, 400.00 R15, 400.00 Maintenance and repairs expense R50, 000.00 R50, 000.00 R50, 000.00 R50, 000.00 Miscellaneous selling expense R50, 000.00 R50, 000.00 R50, 000.00 R50, 000.00 R2,702,479.95 R2,702,479.95 R2,702,479.95 R2,702,479.95 Other Expenses Building of pool R110, 000.00 Building of basketball courts R350, 000.00 Building of tennis courts R75, 000.00 Building of track and indoor soccer field R370, 000.00 Spa features R120, 000.00 R1,025,000.00 Net Income R 2,467,479.95 Projected Balance sheet Year 2009 Year 2010 Rm Rm Non-current assets Intangible assets Tangible assets Investments Taxation recoverable 237.6 121.9 2.0 4.9 366.4 260.3 137.5 2.8 5.9 406.5 Current Assets Inventories Amount receivable (debtors) Six-month deposits Cash and cash equivalents 24.3 134.7 90.5 249.5 26.6 146.9 2.0 105.3 280.8 Current liabilities Amount payable(creditors) Bank overdraft Net current assets Total assets less current liabilities (157.5) (62.6) (220.1) 29.4 395.8 (159.8) (40.1) (199.9) 80.9 487.4 Non-current liabilities Amount payable (creditors) Bank and other borrowings Provisions Net assets (2.6) 0.6 (22.2) 370.4 (2.7) (0.7) (20.2) 464.3 Capital and reserves Shareholders funds 370.4 464.3 Pro forma Cash Flows (3-Year) Sandton Fitness Center Plus Year 1 Year 2 Year3 Cash Received Cash from Operations Cash Sales R1, 230,000 R4, 940,000 R14,751,000 Cash from Receivables R0 R0 R0 Subtotal Cash from Operations R1,230,000 R4,940,000 R14,751,000 Additional Cash Received New Borrowing R1,000,000 R0 R0 New Other Liabilities (interest-free) $ 0 R0 R0 New Long-term Liabilities R0 R0 R0 Sales of Other Current Assets R0 R0 R0 Sales of Long-term Assets $ 0 R0 R0 New Investment Received R0 R0 R0 Subtotal Cash Received R2,230,000 R4,940,000 R14,751,000 Expenditures Expenditures from Operations Personnel R290, 000 R840,000 R940,000 Consulting Services R90, 000 R480,000 R480,000 Promotion R5,000 R6,000 R6,000 Subtotal Spent on Operations R385,000 R1,326,000 R1,426,000 Additional Cash Spent Taxes R32,290 R338,580 R1,302,500 Principal Repayment of Current Borrowing R0 R0 R0 Other Liabilities Principal Repayment R0 R0 R0 Long-term Liabilities Principal Repayment R0 R0 R0 Purchase Other Current Assets R0 R0 R0 Purchase Long-term Assets R810,000 R810,000 R1,345,000 Dividends R0 R0 R0 Subtotal Cash Spent R1,227,290 R2,474,580 R4,073,500 Net Cash Flow R1,002,710 R2,465,420 R10,677,500 Cash Balance R1,012,710 R3,478,130 R14,155,630 CONCLUSION Through the plan that we have outlined we feel confident that although a very intricate and complex process to start and run such a company, we can accomplish such an ambitious endeavor. We have analyzed the market, covered expenses, visualized a goal, and planned accordingly. Our company would be a sound investment because assets and collateral would insure re-payment and realistic projections allow for error if they are needed. To be realistic, we cannot guarantee a success, but as the proverb goes, A hero is one who knows how to hang on one minute longer and this is the entrepreneurial spirit that we will carry throughout the life of our fitness center.

Beowulf Essay -- Epic of Beowulf Essays

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  He killed three monsters and then he died. Not a very interesting fate, but it is none the less one that I find myself having to write about regardless of whether or not I want to. Thus it was, the mighty Beowulf of old England that went forth to slay the evils which plagued the lands of his own people as well as those of his neighboring tribes. The second battle was one that was brought about by Beowulf’s willingness to go and help an old friend, and thus he nearly lost his life once more. For those not acquainted with the story of Beowulf, he was said to be the strongest man ever to live, and given this he was fated according to their beliefs to accomplish certain things in his life. Some of these things being to be slaying of great monsters and winning of great wars. And thus that is what he did as he progressed through life. The epic is rather brief in terms of what an epic normally is, but, in this time he manages to travel to a distant land, and slay a monster that has taken over that land, and then after that feat he of course makes that monsters mother mad, you know you can do something to someone without making dear old mom mad. So, then Beowulf must kill the mother and then after they are both sent into hell, the land is free of tyranny and injustice Beowulf returns home a hero. After fifty winters of rule by Beowulf, a dragon attacks his people because of what was done by a thief, so Beowulf knowing in his old age that he would probably not survive this battle to slay the dragon, goes into battle anyway and slays the dragon and he himself is then slain, by injuries sustained by this fight. My focus is fate, and how no matter how Beowulf decided to do it he would eventually die for his people.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Those of the age of Beowulf, were strong believers in fate and destiny. Everyone was born with a fate already assigned to them by the gods. And this was the case with Beowulf. â€Å"One of Hygelac’s thanes, Beowulf by name, renowned among the Geats for his great bravery, heard in his own country of Grendal’s crimes; he was the strongest man alive, princely and powerful. He gave orders that a good ship should be prepared, said he would sail over the sea to assist the famous leader, the warrior king (Hrothgar) since he needed hardy men.† (Crossley, Beowulf). Beowulf would set sail for Hrothgar’s kingdom an... ... their, â€Å"fate†. Beowulf takes with him the greatest of warriors when he goes to fight the dragon and they all falter, it is because there is uncommon valor and bravery within Beowulf, it was the same with Batman. â€Å"Gotham not only has a mayor, but a police commissioner, a police chief, and squads of officers, but it is Batman who defeats the city’s dragons†. (Beowulf to Batman, Rollin) Beowulf fulfilled two of the roles in Gotham, he was the mayor and Batman. It was this that made him great and it was his fate that led him to do it.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  I do hereby conclude, that the effects of the belief in fate has had great effect over society and history the like. However I do believe that in the delivery of an epic poem it is best to concentrate specifically on the material contained within the epic first and to then reevaluate the symbolic and hidden meaning after the initial meaning of the poem is understood. I have myself had to reread the poem in order do make enough sense of it to be able to write about it. Beowulf has many things, namely concepts and ideals contained within it that we should all take into consideration and perhaps even model into our own lives.

The Day The World Ended :: essays research papers

SONS AND LOVERS Relationships have, and always will contain many different levels. These levels can produce somewhat of a state of confusion in ones life, and have many different impacts. But when a change and a transformation takes place, one can reach a point of clarity and a new found direction. In the comparison of two novels, we see several relationships portrayed along these lines, and how the two main characters transform to find what is most sacred to them. Paul Morel is the main character in D.H. Lawrence's novel 'Sons and Lovers.'; The story charts his early life from when his parents married, and the subsequent birth of their four children. During this time, the three women who have the greatest impact on Paul's life are his mother, Miriam and Clara. Each woman displays a definite influence on Paul, but all three are shown in different times of his life. This influence goes on to shape the life of Paul. In conjunction to this, the story of 'The French Lieutenants Woman'; and the main char acter in that story, Charles, will be compared showing similarities and differences of the relationships of women in his life.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In the story 'Sons and Lovers'; from the very beginning their was a connection between Paul and his mother. It was seen that a bond was formed between the two of them, but it wasn't very strong in the beginning. The strong mother –son bond was between Paul's older brother William and his mother. Paul appeared to be jealous of this, and it wasn't until William moved away that Paul's mother noticed him. William was offered a job in London, the 'big city'; in comparison to their town. When he left, it was almost like a part of his mother had left too. She was crushed, very upset, and very unstable. It wasn't until Paul came down with an illness, and was on the boundaries of death when his mother finally really took notice in him. Paul was then nursed back to himself, and shared this same type of bond that William had shared with his mother. Mrs. Morel (the mother) lived for her children, especially William, but then Paul. As Paul grew older, his mother never su ffered alone, and neither did he. He was always there for her when she needed him, she told him all her problems, and he listened as best he could, as a child and as a man.

Free Essays on Whartons Ethan Frome: Wonderful and Cynical Ethane :: Ethan Frome Essays

Wonderful and Cynical Ethane Frome    Wonderful symbolism, pleasant reading, yet cynical and deterministic  Ã‚   I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and recommend it to lovers of romantic tragedy. For its mere 157 pages, this novel has an amazing impact. Wharton, who is usually credited for her stories set in the society she was more familiar with, such as "The Age of Innocence" writes with profound symbolism here. Setting the story in the town of Starkfield, her main character, Ethan, is a poor farmer caught between the cold reality of his marriage and his warm passion for love. In many ways "Ethan Frome" reminds me of "The Great Gatsby", although Ethan is much more down-to-earth and realistic than the fanciful Jay. But both novels read like poetry, and Wharton masterfully uses the natural settings and seasons to describe and emphasize her protagonist's inner workings. Where the tragedy of Gatsby's story may be questionable, there is no question (not in my mind anyway) about this story's appeal to our pathos. What is even more interesting is that Ethan Frome is probably the closest to autobiography of Wharton's works. She most likely chose a male protagonist in order to achieve the sympathy for those circumstances. Had she titled the story "Edna Frome" she would have likely stirred the animosity that Kate Chopin received for her book "The Awakening". The story is a simple one and the reading very pleasing. Ethan Frome is in a loveless marriage to a "mean" and sickly woman - Zeena. He falls in love with her younger cousin Mattie, who embodies all the sweet characteristics of romance. The dilemma is obvious on the surface, but is strengthened by many other unsurmountable realities. (Wharton has been labelled a believer of determinism, which is evident in this writing.)

In Another Country Is a Story of Ironies Essay

In the story In Another Country, one of Hemingway’s greatest themes is the implausibility of war, focusing on the fate of the soldiers in the aftermath of war, when they experience the tragedies and futility of their lives. In fact, the story offers a rethinking of war-related concepts and values such as bravery, heroism, patriotism, camaraderie, etc. and a tool used to convey contrasting or unconventional views is irony. For example, irony lies in the fact that the soldiers have wounds in the very parts of the body that make what they are, the medals may be meaningless and do not have true value, and the Cova girls are considered the most patriotic people of all. Those ironies seem to reveal the author’s anti-war attitude. First, the characters ironically receive wounds in the parts of the body that make them what they are. A noble man now becomes a noseless figure, a footballer has a damaged knee, and a fencer a shriveled hand. It seems as if the war has deliberately chosen to rob them of the things that give their lives meanings and essence. In short, they are not their selves any more. To make the ironies more tragic, the boy who lost his nose had his face rebuilt, but ‘they could never get the nose exactly right,’ and the major – the fencing champion – has no confidence in the treatment. Although ‘to lose is human’, a soldier cannot avoid having to ‘place himself in a position to lose’. The soldiers’ losses cannot be recovered and are a painful blow to their bravery. The medals are also images of irony. Though supposed to be awards for deeds of bravery and thus something that hold the soldiers together, that make them ‘friends against outsiders’, the medals have become causes for injustice and discrimination. In fact, the American soldier received his medals just because he is American, without doing anything to get them. Knowing this, the others’ soldiers changed their attitude towards him. The American is well aware that he is never really one of them, would never have done brave things like the other three, and is never a hunting hawk like them. This realization causes the American to drift apart from the other soldiers and their camaraderie suffers from this discrimination and despise. Another bitter irony comes from the fact that the people who appreciate the soldiers most are not the respectable citizens of Milan but the cafà © girls at the Cova. Needless to say, going to war and sacrificing his youth, future, career, and even his life, a soldier expects to be recognized and loved by non-soldier people. However, the people in Milan hate them and yell at them when they pass by. On the contrary, the lowly girls at the Cova like and welcome them, to the point that the I-narrator ‘found that the most patriotic people in Italy were the cafà © girls’ and he believes ‘they are still patriotic.’ It is not clear whether the cafà © girls showing interest in the soldiers comes from real respect or just a means to show their hospitality but the girls’ behavior may question what makes patriotism and highlight the sense of isolation experienced by the soldiers. The three images of irony discussed above, though not exhaustive, evidence the implausibility of war and the cruel fate of the soldiers after war. We have the impression that the soldiers are betrayed by the war, which inflicts the kinds of wounds that are intended to destroy them, to rob them of the very meaning of their existence, by the medals, which widen the gap between fellow soldiers rather than unite them, and by the people, who, in return for the soldiers’ sacrifice, pay them with ingratitude and hate. Hemingway’s anti-war attitude seems to emphasize the fact that war is inglorious and life is unfair.

Compare and contrast your way of life with that of your parents. Essay

Compare and contrast your way of life with that of your parents. Which way life do you think would be more satisfying to future generation? Nowadays, people have been changed the way they live. To compare between my age and my parent, there are differences ideas in the job preferences and the success of life. Both of People who born in generation X and Y prefer to work with a reputation company than a small company, however, generation X people are likely to hop to many companies than generation Y. Obviously, people in my parents age are more loyal to the company than we are. This is because our parents are lacking of new information while, in our generation, there are the invention of communication technology. For example, we can assess new information across the world easily. Therefore, we are up to new ideas every day. Moreover, the advance of new technology makes people think that everything is possible. Thus, new generation tends to quit a job and prefer to be own boss more than old generation. Another different perspective between new and old generation is the pursuit of life. In our parent age, people tend to get married and built the family at young age, whereas nowadays people are more likely postpone their marriage life. New generation think that they suppose to be success in financial aspect before getting married. This information is supported by the statistics that show the proportion of children population declines while the proportions of elderly are higher. In conclusion, I think there are advantage and disadvantage in both the way our parents and our way of life. To illustrate, the old generation are more patience and going to on their path, while the new generation looks like getting bored with everything easily. If the next generation brings the pros from previous generations to utilize, they would be pass through the obstacle and doing what they love.

Stefan’s Diaries: The Craving Chapter 14

On Friday Winfield took Damon and me to get fitted for a custom suit. A visit to Pinotto's Tailoring might have been fun at some other point in my life – as it had been the night I went shopping with Lexi in New Orleans. Pasquale Pinotto was a master of his craft, descended from a long line of tailors to kings and queens of Europe. With his pince-nez glasses and chalk and measuring tape around his neck, he could have been someone out of a fairy tale. I enjoyed trying to speak the few words of Italian I knew to him; he took pleasure in it as well, though he corrected my accent. Damon, of course, pretended that he only wanted to speak English now that he was in America – which is how he got around the tailor's delight at meeting a fellow countryman. â€Å"Look at this.† Damon held up a bolt of scarlet red silk to his face. â€Å"We could have our jackets lined with it. Doesn't it just bring out the color in my lips? Or†¦ Lydia's neck?† He moved it to the side, just about where the fang wounds would have been on him. Winfield looked confused. â€Å"She has taken to wearing scarves around her neck, lately. Is that what you mean? It's dashed peculiar – she never used to.† Damon flicked him a quick look, a flash of surprise and annoyance so fast only I caught it. It was interesting that Mr. Sutherland noticed the subtle changes occurring around him, even if he was ultimately powerless against Damon's compulsion. Although any safety the rich old man had was in staying completely ignorant of my brother's schemes. I leaned against the wall for support, tension exhausting me. I felt claustrophobic among all the rolls of expensive fabric and labyrinthine rooms of mirrors and sewing machines, as trapped in that room as I was in my life. Mr. Sutherland made his way to a chair to rest his ponderous bulk. He seemed a touch fidgety – he kept reaching for his cigar, but he was not allowed to smoke one of his famous cigars in the atelier, as the smoke would ruin the fabric. â€Å"Now here is some cloth I am thinking you will like,† Signor Pinotto said, presenting us with black wool crepe so fine and soft it might have been silk. â€Å"I get it from a tiny village in Switzerland. They work†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"Leave the cloth to me,† Winfield said, twirling an unlit cigar in his hand. â€Å"I know the business. Let the young men pick out whatever style they want.† Damon started looking through the jackets, pulling one out and holding it against him to see how it fit. â€Å"In this morning coat and that black crepe, we'll look like real creatures of the night,† Damon observed. â€Å"Don't you think so, Stefan?† â€Å"Yes, yes we will,† I agreed stonily. â€Å"Here, try this on.† Damon tossed me a smaller version of the jacket. Dutifully, I took off my own and put it on. The jacket fit me well except for being too big in the shoulders and chest. Damon was distracted by the tailor and Winfield, discussing patterns and linings and buttons. It occurred to me in that moment that I could leap out the window and run away. Would my brother actually carry through on all of his threats? Would he really kill the Sutherlands – or worse? But then I thought of the message in blood and realized I would never let the world find out the answer to that question. I wanted no more deaths on my conscience. â€Å"Is that the sort of thing young men prance around town in these days?† Winfield asked, frowning at my jacket. â€Å"I've never really been a – what did you call it? – ‘creature of the night.'† Damon gave him a cold smile. â€Å"Never say never.† And then Damon was suddenly standing next to me in front of the mirror, buttoning up his jacket and fluffing out the tails. Very assiduously he fixed mine as well. â€Å"Well, would you look at that,† he said to our reflections, putting an arm around my shoulders. â€Å"We could almost be brothers.† â€Å"We were brothers at one time,† I hissed so quietly that only Damon's highly tuned ears could hear. â€Å"Though you are now as alien to me as the devil himself.† â€Å"Eh?† Winfield looked up. â€Å"You do resemble each other a little. The†¦ hair. And the†¦ face.† He waved a hand vaguely at us. Then he smiled widely. â€Å"I'll have a whole set of matching grandchildren! Dozens of them, dandling on my knees.† Damon grinned. â€Å"Absolutely. I plan on having a large family, Mr. Sutherland. It's important that my bloodline goes on.† â€Å"You're really pushing it,† I said. â€Å"I haven't even started,† he whispered, smiling. â€Å"Oh really? Then what was that message you left for me in blood?† I said. Damon's forehead crinkled. â€Å"Message?† â€Å"Actually, I rather like the scarlet.† Winfield held a bolt of the fabric in his hands, and didn't seem to notice the tension in the air. â€Å"It's perfect. Damon DeSangue – bloodred, or of blood, right?† Damon looked surprised. I was taken off guard, too. â€Å"I speak four languages, boys,† Winfield said with a bit of a growl in his grin. â€Å"And can read another four. I-tal-ian is just one.† So Sutherland wasn't quite the buffoon he appeared to be. There were layers in him, and of course there had to be for such a successful businessman. â€Å"And speaking of languages, ho bisogno di vino, something to wet my throat. I brought something from my own cellar, a fantastic amontillado. Care to join me?† â€Å"I really could drain a good Sutherland dry just about now,† Damon said gamely, clapping me on the shoulder like our future father-in-law did. I slumped in despair. When we'd first become vampires, I'd wanted nothing more than to spend eternity with my brother. But now I couldn't wait to be rid of him.

Amazon Ebusiness Essay

Amazon was founded in 1994, spurred by what Bezos called â€Å"regret minimization framework†, his effort to fend off regret for not staking a claim in the Internet gold rush. Company lore says Bezos wrote the business plan while he and his wife drove from New York to Seattle , although that account appears to be apocryphal. The company began as an online bookstore; while the largest brick-and-mortar bookstores and mail-order catalogs for books might offer 200,000 titles, an online bookstore could offer more. Bezos named the company â€Å"Amazon† after the world’s largest river. Since 2000, Amazon’s logotype is an arrow leading from A to Z, representing customer satisfaction (as it forms a smile); a goal was to have every product in the alphabet. In 1994, the company incorporated in the state of Washington, beginning service in July 1995, and was reincorporated in 1996 inDelaware. The first book Amazon.com sold was Douglas Hofstadter’s Fluid Concepts and Creative Analogies: Computer Models of the Fundamental Mechanisms of Thought. Amazon.com issued its initial public offering of stock on May 15, 1997, trading under theNASDAQ stock exchange symbol AMZN, at an IPO price of US$18.00 per share ($1.50 after three stock splits in the late 1990s). Amazon’s initial business plan was unusual: the company did not expect a profit for four to five years. Its â€Å"slow† growth provoked stockholder complaints that the company was not reaching profitability fast enough. When the dot-com bubble burst, and many e-companies went out of business, Amazon persevered, and finally turned its first profit in the fourth quarter of 2001: $5 million or 1 ¢ per share, on revenues of more than $1 billion, but the modest profit was important in demonstrating the business model could be profitable. In 1999, Time magazine named Bezos Person of the Year,  recognizing the company’s success in popularizing online shopping. Amazon.com products and services: Amazon product lines include books, music CDs, videotapes and DVDs, software, consumer electronics, kitchen items, tools, lawn and garden items, toys & games, baby products, apparel, sporting goods, gourmet food, jewelry, watches, health and personal-care items, beauty products, musical instruments, clothing, industrial & scientific supplies, and groceries. The company launched Amazon.com Auctions, a Web auctions service, in March 1999. However, it failed to chip away at industry pioneer eBay’s large market share. Amazon.com Auctions was followed by the launch of a fixed-price marketplace business, zShops, in September 1999, and the now defunct Sotheby’s/Amazon partnership called sothebys.amazon.com in November. Auctions and zShops evolved into Amazon Marketplace, a service launched in 2001 that let customers sell used books, CDs, DVDs, and other products alongside new items. Today, Amazon Marketplace’s main rival is eBay’s Half.com service. In August 2005 , Amazon began selling products under its own private label, â€Å"Pinzon†; the trademark applications indicated that the label would be used for textiles, kitchen utensils, and other household goods.In March 2007, the company applied to expand the trademark to cover a more diverse list of goods, and to register a new design consisting of the â€Å"word PINZON in stylized letters with a notched letter O whose space appears at the â€Å"one o’clock† position.†. Coverage by the trademark grew to include items such as paints, carpets, wallpaper, hair accessories, clothing, footwear, headgear, cleaning products, and jewelry.On September 2008, Amazon filed to have the name registered. USPTO has finished its review of the application, but Amazon has yet to receive an official registration for the name. Amazon MP3, its own online music store, launched in the US in September 25, 2007, selling downloads exclusively in MP3 format without digital rights management.[This was the first online offering of DRM-free music from all four major record companies. In August 2007, Amazon announced AmazonFresh, a grocery service offering perishable and nonperishable foods. Customers can have orders delivered to their homes at dawn or during a specified daytime window. Delivery was initially restricted to residents of Mercer Island, Washington, and was later expanded to several  ZIP codes in Seattle proper. AmazonFresh also operated pick-up locations in the suburbs of Bellevue and Kirkland from summer 2007 through early 2008. In 2008 Amazon expanded into film production, producing the film The Stolen Child with 20th Century Fox. Amazon.com has incorporated a number of products and services through development and acquisitions. The Honor System was launched in 2001 to allow customers to make donations or buy digital content, with Amazon collecting a percentage of the payment plus a fee. The service was discontinued in 2008. and replaced by Amazon Payments. Amazon launched Amazon Web Services(AWS) in 2002, which provides programmatic access to latent features on its website. Amazon also created â€Å"channels† to benefit certain causes. In 2004, Amazon’s â€Å"Presidential Candidates† allowed customers to donate $5–200 t o the campaigns of 2004 U.S. presidential hopefuls. Amazon has periodically reactivated a Red Cross donation channel after crises such as the 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, and the 2004 earthquake and tsunami in the Indian Ocean. By January 2005, nearly 200,000 people had donated over $15.7 million in the US. Amazon Prime offers two day shipping with no minimum purchase amount for a flat annual fee, as well as discounted priority shipping rates. Amazon launched the program in the continental United States in 2005, in Japan, the United Kingdom and Germany in 2007, and in France (as â€Å"Amazon Premium†) in 2008. Launched in 2005, Amazon Shorts offers exclusive short stories and non-fiction pieces from best-selling authors for immediate download. By June 2007, the program had over 1,700 pieces and was adding about 50 new pieces per week. In November 2005, Amazon.com began testing Amazon Mechanical Turk, an application programming interface (API) allowing programs to dispatch tasks to human processors. In March 2006, Amazon launched an online storage service called Amazon Simple Storage Service (Amazon S3). An unlimited number of data objects, from 1 byte to 5 gigabytes in size, can be stored in S3 and distributed via HTTP or BitTorrent. The service charges monthly fees for data stored and transferred. In 2006, Amazon introducedAmazon Simple Queue Service (Amazon SQS), a distributed queue messaging service, and product wikis (later folded into Amapedia) and discussion forums for certain products using guidelines that follow standard message board conventions. Also in 2006, Amazon introduced Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (Amazon EC2), a virtual site farm, allowing users to use the Amazon infrastructure to run applications ranging  from running simulations to web hosting. In 2008, Amazon improved the service adding Elastic Block Store (EBS), offering persistent storage for Amazon EC2 instances and Elastic IP addresses, static IP addresses designed for dynamic cloud computing. In 2007 Amazon launched Amapedia, a wiki for user-generated content to replace ProductWiki, the video on demand s ervice Amazon Unbox, and Amazon MP3, which sells downloadable MP3’s. Amazon’s terms of use agreements restrict use of the MP3’s, but Amazon does not use DRM to enforce those terms. Amazon MP3 sells music from the Big 4 record labels EMI, Universal, Warner Bros. Records, and Sony BMG, as well as independents. Previous to the launch of this service, Amazon made an investment in Amie Street, a music store with a variable pricing model based on demand. Also in 2007 Amazon launched Amazon Vine, which allows reviewers free access to pre-release products from vendors in return for posting a review, as well as payment service specifically targeted at developers, Amazon FPS. In November 2007, Amazon launched Amazon Kindle, an e-book reader which downloads content over â€Å"Whispernet†, via the Sprint Nextel EV-DO wireless network. The screen uses E Ink technology to reduce battery consumption. In 2008 Amazon stated that its Kindle-based library included 200,000 titles. In December 2007, Amazon introduced SimpleDB, a database system, allowing users of its other infrastructure to utilize a high reliability high performance database system. In August 2007, Amazon launched an invitation-only beta-test for online grocery delivery. It has since rolled out in several Seattle, Washington suburbs. In January 2008 Amazon began rolling out their MP3 service to subsidiary websites worldwide. In December, 2008, Amazon MP3 was made available in the UK. In September, IMDB and Amazon.com launched a Music metadata browsing site with wiki-like user contribution. In November, Amazon partnered with Fisher-Price, Mattel, Microsoft and Transcend to offer products with minimal packaging to reduce environmental impact and frustration with opening â€Å"clamshell† type packaging. Amazon Web Services launched a public beta of Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud running Microsoft Windows Server and Microsoft SQL Server. Amazon Connectenables authors to post remarks on their book pages to customers. WebStore allows businesses to create custom e-commerce websites using Amazon technology. Sellers pay a commission of 7 percent, including credit-card processing fees and fraud protection, and a subscription fee of  $59.95/month for an unlimited number of webstores and listings. Why Amazon.com is successful as a business on internet and has excellent capabilities supported by information system and e-commerce? Amazon’s initial business plan was unusual: the company did not expect a profit for four to five years. Its â€Å"slow† growth provoked stockholder complaints that the company was not reaching profitability fast enough. When the dot-com bubble burst and many e-companies went out of business, Amazon persevered, and finally turned its first profit in the fourth quarter of 2001: $5 million or 1 ¢ per share, on revenues of more than $1 billion, but the modest profit was important in demonstrating the business model could be profitable. In 1999, Time magazine named Bezos Person of the Year, recognizing the company’s success in popularizing online shopping. Amazon changed the way it does business through the years. First it was an online book seller. Next it expanded into selling music and videos. Then it offered toys, consumer electronics and software to its customers. These were linked with a host of new products until this very day. Amazon has a constantly evolving product line. Its competitors have a hard time catching up with the innovator. During its initial years of operation, Amazon was not making any real profit. It practiced instead the habit of reinvesting its income into new markets. This it did to make possible for its customers to make wider choices for the company’s offerings. Inventory management is an important function for any business and its efficient implementation can play a major role in reducing costs within a company. Policies, procedures, and techniques employed in maintaining the optimum number or amount of each inventory item. The objective of inventory management is to provide uninterrupted production, sales, and/or customer-service levels at the minimum cost, Levi D. S. et al (2003). Levi explains that a high-quality inventory management system provides a smooth and efficient supply chain by reducing costs and time. Initially when a company is established, key individuals may pe rform such tasks as purchasing, manufacturing or inventory control with little problem in terms of overlapping functions. But as a company expands it may be necessary to concentrate on core functions in the aim to have specialized personnel in every department. Each function has an important part to play in the supply chain. The correct management of  inventory enables a company to reduce liabilities and cost of overstocking, to streamline operations and to have better utilized staff. Amazon.com, the world’s largest online retailer and one of the nation’s biggest book sellers, is one of the iconic companies of the Internet era, Eells S. (2010), and by realizing the importance of inventory management can only improve its supply chain. From the text we can see that when CEO Jeffrey P. Bezos went about setting up Amazon.com, he had a clear aim to offer customers a wide selection of books but at the same time did not want to spend time and money on opening stores and warehouses and in dealing with the inventory. Bezos was hesitant in deciding to maintain Amazons own warehouse but realized that this was the only way for the company to keep customers satisfied. Internet shopping was rapidly expanding and with Amazon now stretching its ranges from not only books but to CDs, toys and hardware, they too were a growing industry. Amazon began setting up warehouses throughout the US, strategically placing them in states with little or no sales tax in order to reduce costs. These warehouses were very well maintained and completely computerized, with each item having a separate code which made inventory management a lot easier. Within the large warehouses, Amazon held all products which were available on the website. This was not always a good idea as it cost Amazon money in order to stock these goods. In the holiday season of 1999, Bezos was determined not to disappoint any customers; therefore he ordered larger amounts of every product. With this large amount of inventory, Bezos found it very diffic ult to manage, so aimed to rearrange the warehouses to accommodate the demand in different regions. They then decided to outsource some of its routines activities so that they could concentrate more on their core competencies. Deciding whether to outsource or not was a difficult decision for Amazon but seen in the Strategic outsourcing book by Greaver M. (1999), he explains that there quiet a number of reasons how outsourcing can be a major advantage. These points are broken into 6 headings; 1. Organizational reasons – Enhance effectiveness and focus on what you do best and also makes the company more flexible 2. Improvement driven reasons – Improve operating performance and also management and control 3. Finally driven reasons – Reduce investment assets and free up these resources for other areas of the business 4. Revenue driven reasons – Gain market access and  business opportunities along with accelerating expansion 5. Cost driven reasons – Reduce cost through superior provider performance and lower cost structure 6. Employee driven reasons – Increase commitment and energy in non core areas. Amazon decided to outsource its inventory management, and with this they decided not to stock every item offered on its site. It stocked only the most popular and frequently purchased items and as for the other items, they were requested from the distributor on ordering. The item would be sent to Amazon, unpacked and finally sent to the customer. Amazon entered into an agreement with Ingram Micro Inc. to use its knowledge and experience in the electronic goods and supply chain management in order to provide logistics and order-fulfillment services for desktops, laptops and other computer related accessories. From the case, Kevin Murai, President, Ingram Macro U.S. informs everyone the advantages in which they can offer to Amazons supply chain and satisfaction of customers, â€Å"The customer fulfillment services we are providing to Amazon.com’s computer store will minimize the number of touches to the product, while ensuring a seamless shopping experience for Amazons customers from start to finish†. A collaborative approach was obvious from this. A collaborative partnership has become an alternative approach to care, replacing traditional hierarchical approach as the desired approach to care. The features of collaborative partnerships are (1) Power sharing and sharing of expertise; (2) the pursuit of mutually agreed on, person centered goals and, (3) a dynamic process that requires the active participation and agreement of all partners in the relationship, Elsevier M. (2006). Both Amazon and Ingram Micro both shared the passion for customer satisfaction which was the main driving force to the success of their partnership. Amazon has identified its core competencies as: customer convenience and accessibility, massive selection, personalized service, quality of the site content, quality of its search tools and price, Mulqueen K. (2009). By entering into this partnership it gives Amazon more quality time to put into its core competencies. During the initial stages of Amazons warehousing, it aimed to have every item in stock in o rder to maximize customer satisfaction. By having this inventory, it would enable Amazon to meet the needs of the customers when they purchased the goods online. When the customer chooses the item, Amazon takes it from inventory and sent it to the respective  customer. We can see the logic in which Bezos takes as he is aiming to satisfy every customer in order to build a positive image and reputation of the company. Holding this much inventory on the other can be quite costly and also for a small business which Amazon was when taking on this method can be very difficult to manage. Amazons warehouses were a quarter mile long and 200 yards wide storing millions of books. Each warehouse cost Bezos around 50 million and not only this he started to realize that having all these large amounts of stock was unutilized cash which could be used to improve the business elsewhere. The below image (fig 1.1) gives you an idea of the scale of the warehouses and how an effective inventory management structure is vital. Learning from the difficult holiday season of 1999, Bezos outsourced some of their core competencies in order to pay more attention to othe r areas of the business. In our opinion this was a step in the right direction as when Amazons partners shipped the goods Amazon revamped the layout of their warehouses which makes the items easier to find and allowed customer orders to be sorted more efficiently. In early 2001, when Amazon partnered with Ingram Micro Inc., we feel that this was the correct decision for Amazon in the aim for efficient inventory management and it didn’t take long for changes to be made to the stocking of inventory. Amazon decided to stock only the most popular and most frequently purchased. If an item which wasn’t in stock, Amazon simply ordered in from the distributor and who then shipped it to Amazon where they would unpack it and send it to the customer. This may seem like a longer process but we feel this step which significantly reduce costs and better utilized Amazons finances. This is evident from the case as in December 00; their gross profit was 656.8 million where it was almost doubled in December 02 where the profit was 1,074.9 million. By doing this method, inevitably Amazon reduced holding costs. This method was proving to be a positive for Amazon as the improved inventory management helped Amazon record its first ever profit in 2001. From being initially in a deficit of $2.86 billion seven years earlier, Amazon recorded a net profit of $5 million in the fourth quarter of 2001. By Amazon outsourcing its inventory management, we could see the improvements almost immediately from their financial reports in the case. It is clear in our opinion, that Amazon made the right decision when outsourcing this function. It has reduced cost by keeping fewer inventories  and at the same time has partnered with a company with a great deal of expertise in the technology functions which can again be a major positive for the company. This shows again that outsourcing the inventory function was the correct decision for Amazon. The transfer of Amazons inventory management as shown in the case was a positive influence on the company and we feel that it was a successful task. The reason for this is simple; Amazon has tried and tested various inventory techniques from when it was first established. At first Amazons inventory was too great and was seen to be unutilized cash. Bezos realized that this unutilized cash could possible to used to benefit over departments within the company. The task of outsourcing this area made a profit for the company immediately, at the end of 2001, Amazon had a sales record of 1.1 billion which was a 15% increase on the same period of the previous year. Then again in 2002, we can see from the case that Amazon recorded sales of 3.93 billion which was a 26% increase on the year previous. These figures show that the task of outsourcing inventory for Amazon was an important function which has shown to get record sales for the company and along with the expertise given by Ingram Micro was overall a positive influence on the company. Overall, Amazons decision to outsource its inventory management and concentrate more on other funct ions within the business was the correct decision in our opinion. This is proven by the increase in profit since doing so. Amazon managed to outsource this function and still satisfy their customers which is one of their core values along with being innovative. According to businessweek.com, Amazon in 2010 had a net income of $231 million in comparison to $177million in 2009 which again is an indication that the company’s decisions have only had a positive impact as the company continues to grow. This is a positive for the company but in comparison to its main competitor, EBay had a net income of 397.65 million in 2010 which is also seen on businessweek.com. This shows that there is a lot of work done but still in order to compete with its competitors it must still strive to improve. Amazon prides itself on a strong brand, excellent customer service and a well designed, easy to use website. Its use of E-Business strategies enables the company to cut costs better than its competitors and empower its customers by offering them choice. It could be argued that Amazons’ most valuable asset is its CEO and Founder Jeff Bezos. Bezos innovative style has grown the company from  strength to strength and latest figures, according to the website www.siliconrepublic.com show an increase in profit of 36% to $12.95bn for 2010 from a sink to 3.7pc from 5pc at the end of 2009. In 2001, Amazons CEO, Jeff Bezos welcomed competitors rather than fighting them. This decision was initially seen as somewhat controversial. According to Vogelstein (2003) the decision caused such a stir in the book-publishing community that the Authors Guild formally stepped in. They wanted used books sold on a different page from newly published ones. Amazon was able to do this as a result of its efficient inventory management. Vogelstein (2003) states that Amazons warehouses are so efficient that they need to be replenished 20 times per year and they can now handle three times the volume they handled in 1999. The net result of this initiative is increased profits as can be seen from the case. The success of Amazon can be attributed to E-Business. Tedeschi (1999) state; Business on the Internet is cutting significant cost out of the supply chain, with better procurement and resource planning. With Amazon, these cost savings are passed onto the end customer. Through price comparison and transparency on its webpage, customers could make informed decisions based on price. This created massive popularity with its customers. E-Business also creates brand strength. According to Matthewson (2002) a recent survey demonstrated the importance of online brand building, as it showed that six out of ten internet users directly typed into their browser the address of the brand they are interested in buying. The website is said to attract 81 million unique visitors each month .Amazon has capitalized on this process known as cyber-branding. This essentially promotes the company through superior customer service. Its logistics in both inventory efficiency and technology gives it a superior edge over its competitors. Its operations are very efficient due to the strategic locations of its warehouses and headquarters, which have enabled Amazon to cut a lot of its costs. The market in which amazon.com operates and how it is organized by region and country: Amazon.com has always sold goods out of its own warehouses. It started as a bookseller, pure and simple, and over the last decade has branched out into  additional product areas and the third-party sales that now represent a good chunk of its revenue (some estimates put it at 25 percent). Both retailers and individual sellers utilize the Amazon.com platform to sell goods. Large retailers like Nordstrom, Land’s End and Target use Amazon.com to sell their products in addition to selling them through their own Web sites. The sales go through Amazon.com and end up at Nordstrom.com, Land’s End.com or Target.com for processing and order fulfillment. Amazon essentially leases space to these retailers, who use Amazon.com as a supplemental outlet for their online sales. Small sellers of used and new goods go to Amazon Marketplace, Amazon zShops or Amazon Auctions. At Marketplace, sellers offer goods at a fixed price, and at Auctions they sell their stuff to the highest bidder. Amazon zShops features only used goods at fixed prices. If an item listed on zShops, Marketplace or Auctions is also sold on the main Amazon.com, it appears in a box beside the Amazon.com item so buyers can see if someone else is selling the product for less in one of the other sales channels. The level of integration that occurs on Amazon is a programming feat that few (if any) online sales sites can match. Another sales channel called Amazon Advantage is a place where people can sell new books, music and movies directly from the Amazon warehouse instead of from their home or store. Sellers ship a number of units to Amazon, and Amazon handles the entire sales transaction from start to finish. In all of these programs, Amazon gets a cut of each sale (usually about 10 percent to 15 percent) and sometimes charges additional listing or subscription fees; in the case of Amazon Advantage, the company takes a 55 percent commission on each sale. The Advantage channel is something like a consignment setup, a sales avenue for people who create the ir own music CDs or have self-published a book and are simply looking for a way to get it out there. One of the latest additions to Amazon’s repertoire is a subsidiary company called Amazon Services. Through Amazon Services, Amazon sells its sales platform, providing complete Amazon e-commerce packages to companies looking to establish or revamp their e-commerce business. Amazon sets up complete Web sites and technology backbones for other e-commerce companies using Amazon software and technology. Target, for instance, in addition to having a store on Amazon.com, also uses Amazon Services to build and manage its own e-commerce site, Target.com. But selling goods isn’t the only way to make  money with Amazon.com. The Web site’s affiliate program is one of the most famous on the Web. Through Amazon’s Associate Program, anyone with a Web site can post a link to Amazon.com and earn some money. The link can display a single product chosen by the associate, or it can list several â€Å"best seller† products in a particular genre, in which case Amazon u pdates the list automatically at preset intervals. The associate gets a cut of any sale made directly through that link. The cut ranges from 4 percent to 7.5 percent depending on which fee structure the associate signs up for (see Amazon Associates for complete program details). The associate can also take advantage of Amazon Web Services, which is the program that lets people use Amazon’s utilities for their own purposes. 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