Truth is a Cave in the Black Mountains by Neil Gaiman Free Essay Example, 1000 words

As the truth unveils towards the end of the novel, Calum’s evil nature becomes evident to the reader and the dwarf. Calum exasperates by saying that he would not kill a woman to steal cattle. However, the happenings in the narration indicate that he indeed went against his own assertions and greatly contributed to the death of the woman, Flora. He subjects her to undue suffering by tying her to a thorny tree and pushing a blade into the turf. â€Å"I tied her to the thorn tree by her long hair, and I thought no more of her as I made off with her cattle† (Gaiman N. p). He believed that nobody would search for her and will eventually die. It is only after this ingenuous concession that the audience and the dwarf come to the comprehension that Calum murdered Flora, the dwarf’s daughter. Calum’s evil is only portrayed by the truth he reveals to the dwarf, but if he had lied it would not carry the same magnitude of evil actions as it does. Evil is revealed upon the realization that the Black Mountains hosts what can only be equated to a curse that exists in the characters’ minds. We will write a custom essay sample on Truth is a Cave in the Black Mountains by Neil Gaiman or any topic specifically for you Only $17.96 $11.86/pageorder now If the Black Mountains had any treasures, it becomes clear that the treasures could only be gained at a cost which in extreme cases involved losing one’s life. The ghostly figure that speaks to the dwarf is, apparently, the skull of her daughter. The dwarf claims that the form that the skull appears to him offends him only for the skull to respond, â€Å"I took it from your mind †¦I chose something you loved. This was your daughter, Flora, as she was the last time you saw her† (Gaiman N. p). This implicates that the dwarf actually hated her daughter, a fact that contravenes his initial assertions her daughter errorred by running away from home. He had promised himself to forgive everybody but the fact that her daughter’s skull offends him is a strong suggestion that he had not pardoned himself or her daughter, an indication of evil. Evil is also portrayed in the dwarf when he tries to tell the Calum about the reason why he was being pursued. â€Å"Why were the Campbells after you? † â€Å"It was a disagreement about the ownership of cattle. They thought the cows were theirs†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Gaiman N. p). The dwarf in this instance did not confess to the truth of what transpired to the end of the story and, therefore, there is no evidence of evil. This leads to the young Calum to see the dwarf as a righteous man incapable of evil, but the boy’s father is prudent. Later upon a confession of the topic by the dwarf it is evident that he committed evil by murdering a dozen Campbells sent for his life.

Why Do Anthropologists Study Gift Giving - 1682 Words

Why study Gifts? The anthropology of gifts has been mostly studied in the context of non-Western cultures. The important roles of gift giving were highlighted by classical anthropologists such as Malinowski, Mauss and Levi-Strauss. They stressed the significance of reciprocity and obligation suggested in gift exchange and that gift giving is a one practice of material expression that integrates a society. Gift giving is essential to the studies of many anthropological debates such as sociability, alienation, sacrifice, religion and kinship. The anthropology of gifts is also crucial to economics. Entire businesses and industries rely on gift giving as it helps understand the relationships in economy as a cultural system that is not just†¦show more content†¦from friends and charities, and as such I personally believe there is no such thing as a free gift. Reciprocity is very important in Pakistani communities. As covered in A. Shaw’s ‘A Pakistani Community in Britain,’ the term lena-dena literally means ‘taking and giving’ and itself implies the obligation of exchange. In Pakistani communities, the receiver will write a note of what they were given so they can return a similar gift. However, the returned gift must be worth slightly more. The idea is not to close the debt, but to create a further one and continue the relationship; this is how a lena-dena is inherited. Similar to a Kula partner, a lena-dena partner can be anybody in the Pakistani community that you wish to have a bond with, indeed even an English woman that may have married into the family. As gifts are given on occasions such as birthdays, dinner parties etc, the gift exchange can occur over a long period of time. Religious events, such as khatmi-Qur’an also calls for an occasion of lena-dena, as well as weddings, in which the bride’s family can expect all of their gifts to be in return of gifts given in lena-dena. There is also an amount of prestige involved; the gifts received in a wedding are displayed in a ledger for guests to look through to indicate the family’s standing among its friends andShow MoreRelatedEating Christmas in the Kalahari906 Words   |  4 PagesThe sources of cultural misunderstanding made by the anthropologists in the readings from Spradley and McCurdy are affected by many factors including naive realism, culture shock and fully understanding what is culturally and ethically appropriate. Naive realism is the belief that people see the world in the same way, and culture shock is a condition of confusion and feelings of loneliness and anxiety experienced by someone suddenly entering a new culture. Eating Christmas in the KalahariRead MoreWhat Makes Gift Exchange?1441 Words   |  6 PagesSchieffelin describes gift exchange as a ‘rhetorical gesture in social communication’, it can be used as a method of solidifying, integrating and defini ng social relationships through the non-market exchange of goods, it is a social, cultural and economic experience. This ritual creates a respectful bond between both the giver and receiver. Previously gift exchange was considered more of a cultural tradition and religious practice, however contemporary gift exchange does not commemorate the rituals’Read MoreChristmas in Kalahari Essay843 Words   |  4 PagesKalahari† by anthropologist Richard Lee demonstrates many more concepts in sociology. In the article Lee is doing fieldwork in the Kalahari desert observing the hunting and gathering practices among the !Kung (Ju/’hoansi). Lee experiences many times of cultural misunderstandings related to naà ¯ve realism, cultural shock, and also not fully understanding what is culturally and ethically appropriate. He learns a very valuable lesson when, in his eyes, has a perfect idea for an appreciation gift to the JuRead MoreANTH 1120 Midterm Exam Review2818 Words   |   12 Pagesmoral judgements about the beliefs and behaviours of members of other cultures. Armchair Anthropology: An approach to the study of various societies that dominated anthropology in the late 1800s. It involved the collection, study, and analysis of the writings of missionaries, explorers, and colonists who had sustained contact with non-Western peoples. Armchair anthropologists used these documents to make comparisons and generalisations about the ways of life of various groups. Participant Observation:Read MoreNanda and Warms, Bodley, Lee Study Guide1662 Words   |  7 Pagesmembers of a group. - Almost all behavior is learned - Cultural norms and values are shared by people - All Cultures change Pidgin English- A simplified language that develops as a means of communication between two or more groups of people that do not have a language in common. (Masta- John Marshall, Bird- Airplane) - Pidgins develop when people who speak different languages come together. Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis- The language we speak affects the way we think. It plays a critical role inRead MoreArgumentative Essay1310 Words   |  6 Pagesare oblivious to the health risks their baby may endure having not being breastfed. Research and studies show that babies who are breastfed have better health among other things if they are breastfed. To add to that, formula companies tend to obscure the truth and bribe the doctors in to promoting their product. This essay aims to investigate these issues and address the matter at hand by stating why it is a much better choice to breastfeed a baby. As I mentioned above, whether or not a womenRead MoreStone Age Economics3773 Words   |  16 Pages â€Å"If economics is the dismal science, the study of hunting and gathering economies must be its most advanced branch† (Sahlins 1972: 1). Stone Age Economics is one of the well-known books in the subfield of economic anthropology provided by an American cultural anthropologist, Marshall Sahlins. This book is a slight representation in the literature dealing with ‘primitive’ or ‘tribal’ economic life. This book consists of a series of chapters that lacks a proper conclusion of Sahlins discoveriesRead More The Effect of Money on Frequency of Divorce Essay2184 Words   |  9 Pagesstate that anthropologists have offered little in the way of trustworthy, universal explanations for divorce. The differences in cultures, traditions, and practices among societies make it almost impossible to offer general explanations for family instability. The widely held belief is that when a significant amount of money or property is exchanged, the marriage is more stable. This belief is supported by Minturn et al. (1969: 308) findings that absence of bride price, dowry, and gift exchange atRead MoreCultural Mat thew M. Le Claire Essay2212 Words   |  9 PagesThough anthropologists and sociologists have found support for the existence of cultural universals, the idea of these universal aspects of culture still draw criticism from critical and postmodern scholars and by individuals who ascertain cultural universals are in a natural state of opposition with cultural relativism. Framework The idea of cultural universals is rooted in positivist traditions of biology and psychology, as well as structural functionalism. While comparative studies of cultureRead MoreTrobriand Islanders-Malinowski and Weiner10855 Words   |  44 PagesTrobriand and anthropological culture. But such history is often alluded to in order to deny its consequences—in order to stress constancy rather than change. For instance, Weiner presents a genealogy of Trobriand high-ranking male informants and anthropologists, which links her good friend and valued informant Vanoi (1976, xvii) with the past. Standing in front of Vanois house gave me a sense of both anthropological and Trobriand history. In the ground, ten yards in front of Vanois house, lies a stone

Reflection on Three Critical Incidents in Practice Free Essays

string(32) " additions to his care package\." Introduction Reflective practice promotes quality care as health and social care practitioners evaluate and analyse incidents and create action plans to improve current practice (Jones, 2010; Jasper, 2006). This essay aims to reflect on three incidents in practice using Taylor’s (2006) model of reflection. This model of reflection was chosen because of its holistic nature. We will write a custom essay sample on Reflection on Three Critical Incidents in Practice or any similar topic only for you Order Now The steps of reflection is presented through the acronym REFLECT. The reflective process begins with Readiness, Exercising thought, Following systematic process, Leaving oneself open to answers, Enfolding insights, Changing awareness and Tenacity in maintaining reflection. I will reflect on my learning and professional development from the three experiences in relation to the 9 domains of the Professional Capabilities Framework (The College of Social Work, 2013). Incident One Description of the Incident I was requested to complete a social assessment for a service user who was about to be discharged from the hospital following a stroke. This service user has markedly reduced mobility. As part of the multidisciplinary team, healthcare team members requested that the care package should be increased from two calls to four calls per day. Part of the assessment is to determine the degree of mobility of the patient and the need to provide additional support or changes in his home setting to facilitate mobilisation. This is necessary since the patient lives alone. In settings where the patient has very reduced mobility, a carer will be hired to provide additional support (NICE, 2008). However, if a family member can provide additional support, it is encouraged that care should come from an individual that the service user trusts and is comfortable with (NICE, 2008). Using this knowledge, I completed my assessment and concluded that the patient does not need an increase in his care package. Meanwhile, I conducted a social assessment for the wife of the service user. Studies (Gordon et al., 2013; Fan, 2011; McCullagh et al., 2005) have shown that carers of patients with chronic conditions are at increased risk of depression. The demanding task of caring for a sick family member and seeing loved ones suffering from an illness are some factors that would increase this risk. Hence, it is suggested that carers should also receive social and emotional support to prevent depression (Gordon et al., 2013). Upon completing the assessment for the wife, I recommended social support for the wife. It has been shown that social support is important in preventing social isolation common amongst family members caring for those who are sick (Fan, 2011). Social support will also help carers interact with others who are experiencing similar situations. Engagement in a support group will help form friendships and relationships with people who are undergoing the same experience (McCullagh et al., 2005). Currently, a number of support groups for families of stroke survivors are available in the community. Membership in one of these groups could offer needed emotional and social support. Patients surviving a stroke suffer from reduced mobility and disabilities (NICE, 2008). Studies (Langhorne et al., 2011; Rimmer and Wang, 2005) have shown the importance of improving cardiovascular fitness to prevent future stroke episodes. These studies also highlight the importance of social support as integral in the management of the condition and in the recovery of service users. Family members play crucial roles during the rehabilitation of these patients (Langhorne et al., 2011). As a social care practitioner, it is my duty to ensure that service users receive quality care and their needs are sufficiently addressed. However, on assessment, the patient does not require an increase in his care package. Critical Care Incident Following my social assessment, I found out that the patient does not require an addition to his care package. This critical care incident became a dilemma since I was torn between following my colleagues’ recommendations and pleasing them or presenting my findings that the service user does not need an increase in his care package. On reflection, I began to ask myself why I felt reluctant in discussing my findings with my colleagues. I realised that they did not insist that the care package should be increased. Instead, they were asking me to complete a social care assessment to validate their recommendations. On analysis, my reluctance was rooted in my desire to please my colleagues. This is not surprising since team members would want to create harmony in the group and avoid conflict. However, Clouston and Westcott (2005) explain that when managed properly, conflict might actually promote better outcomes for the group. On reflection, I should have discussed my findings immediately with my team members and explained why the patient does not need an addition to his care package. Effective communication requires members to listen to both verbal and non-verbal messages of team members (Glasby et al., 2008). While we had no communication issues in the past, I could have eased my apprehensions and communicate my concerns with team members. Meanwhile, Collins (2009a) also emphasise that effective communication is needed to collaborate effectively with others. Since I will be collaborating with these team members in the future, I should use the lessons I learned from this incident to ensure that the patient receives optimal care. I also realised that I should observe the domains of professionalism and professional leadership when working with teams and in assessing service users. Professionalism is described as the ability of a health and social care practitioner to exercise his role based on the guideline s presented in his profession (Peck et al., 2008). Since I have the necessary background to conduct a social assessment, I should be confident in my findings and share this with the group. It is also part of professionalism to accept suggestions from my colleagues in order to improve current practice (Barrett et al., 2005). Further, one of the 9 domains of the PCF is knowledge. I should be able to use my knowledge on social assessment for stroke survivors in informing my team that the service user does not need additions to his care package. You read "Reflection on Three Critical Incidents in Practice" in category "Essay examples" Next, I should also exercise professional leadership, which is also another domain of the PCF. In social care, leadership means the ability of social care workers to lead the management and care for service users (Barrett et al., 2005). Since leadership is a skill that is learned through constant practise, I should seek for opportunities where I can exercise leadership skills. In this incident, I should be able to lead the care of the service user following the findings of the social assessment. Changing Awareness The specific critical care incident in this case is my reluctance to discuss with my team members the findings of my social assessment. Reflecting on this incident, I realised that as a qualified worker I should demonstrate my knowledge and leadership when assessing the needs of the service users. I should not fear that my colleagues would not respect my findings. I also realised that I need to improve my self-esteem to effectively advocate for my service users. To continue my professional development, I should engage in trainings on how to communicate effectively with team members. I should also improve my knowledge on social assessment to help me decide on the most appropriate care for my service user. Since this incident, I began to be make changes in my practice. I improved my learning on social assessment and also began to be more confident in sharing my findings with the team and leading care. Developing my knowledge and leadership skills was essential since this would help me achieve two of the domains in the PCF. During supervision, I discussed this incident with my supervisor. Supervision plays an essential role in increasing job satisfaction of social care workers and in helping them become more effective in their areas (Carpenter et al., 2012). These meetings were important since it helped me clearly identify the problems of my service user and reflect on the best solution for his circumstances. I also felt on our meetings that I was allowed to critically thing through the problem and create a solution that is feasible for the client and my team. Incident Two Description of Incident A social care assessment was completed for a service user who underwent hip replacement after suffering from a fall at his home. After careful consideration, the team decided to transfer the patient from the hospital to a step down bed to allow for mobility rehabilitation. A physiotherapist completed a home visit to ascertain the type and level of support that the service user will need. The aim of the team is to restore normal living and independence for the patient as soon as possible. However, the physiotherapist reported that the service user’s home was unfit for habitation. There was no heating and a side lamp in the lounge remains as the only source of light. The house was filthy with black trash bags strewn in the kitchen. There was no food in the refrigerator. The house smelled of urine with the bed covers looking visibly soiled while the toilet also needs plumbing. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE, 2013) guideline for fall prevention has emphasised the need to assess the conditions of the home and make changes to facilitate easier mobility of the service user. As the environment is physically adjusted to the needs of the patient, this will prevent recurrent falls and will help improve mobilisation of the patient (NICE, 2013). On analysis, the patient was living alone and had difficulty maintaining the cleanliness of his home prior to his fall. This would suggest the need for assistance in the activities of his daily living. Although the patient refused any help, health and social care workers can act on the best interest of the patient and make changes on the patient’s home to make it safe and liveable (Glasby et al., 2008). The NICE (2013) guideline also states that home hazard assessment should be performed to allow safety interventions and home modifications. Consistent with the experience of the service use r of this incident, the home assessment was part of discharge planning. In addition, the NICE (2013) guideline emphasises that home modifications should be carried out within the agreed time frame between the patient and appropriate members of the healthcare team. However, it should be noted that home hazard assessment is not effective when follow-up and interventions are not introduced. The physical modification of the house alone is also not effective in preventing a recurrent fall. House modification should be supported with appropriate interventions for the patient. Critical Care Incident The service user is only allowed to stay for six weeks at the rehabilitation unit. Since the house needs repair and deep cleaning, there would be not enough time for the service user to move to his house after his discharge. The service user also refused to have carers since he feels that he is capable of taking care of himself. He explicitly stated that he does not want additional support to assist him with activities for daily living (ADL) and made a verbal request to the rehabilitation team to help him return to his home. For this particular case, the critical care incident involves respecting the wishes of the patient or acting on the best interest of the patient. As a qualified worker, I have to convince the patient that he could not immediately return to independent living since his house has to be repaired. In the meantime, we have to find a suitable place for him to stay before he can go home. Since the patient was adamant in returning home, I have to decide between acting o n the best interest of the patient or respecting patient autonomy. This means, I either have to follow the patient’s wishes of returning him to his home even if it is still not fit for his condition or convincing him to stay in a temporary shelter. I consider this as an incident since social care workers should respect patient autonomy. However, this is difficult to follow especially if respecting the patient’s autonomy would not be for his best interest. On reflection, I began to question how I offered support to the patient after he expressed that he wants to go home after attending the six-weeks rehabilitation. It is understandable that patients who suffer from a fall do not want to be a burden to others. The NICE (2013) guideline notes that patients do not want to become an added burden to the staff when they want to ask help for mobilisation. On the other hand, I also have to inform the patient about his condition and why he needs to return to a home that is clean and modified for his needs. Hence, there is a need to introduce multidisciplinary management when caring for patients who have undergone hip fracture surgery. For instance, the NICE (2011) guideline for hip fracture expresses that a patient should be involved in a hip fracture programme that addresses all his health needs. Specifically, the guideline states that multidisciplinary teams should aim for recovery of mobility, functions and independence. The same guideline also reiterates that multidisciplinary teams should enable return of service users or patients to their residence and ensure the long-term wellbeing of this group. On analysis, our multidisciplinary team is following measures to ensure that the service user will return to a home that is safe and modified for his needs. This reflects values and ethics, one of the 9 PCF domains. The value of patient safety and ethics when caring for patients are demonstrated in our actions of helping the patient return to a safe environment following his discharge from the rehabilitation unit. Changing Awareness I had to consider the best interest of my patient even if he insists on returning to his home immediately after his discharge from the rehabilitation unit. Barrett et al. (2005) express that social care workers should always place the safety and best interest of the service user when deciding on appropriate interventions for the patient. This is consistent with the ethical principle of non-maleficence and beneficence (Runciman and Merry, 2012). The primary role of social care workers is to do no harm. Since the patient refused to receive additional support for ADL, I am aware that returning him to an unmodified home will increase the risk of recurrent fall. Although the patient was deemed as having the capacity to perform the activities of daily living, I felt that his current house is unsafe. Adding a challenge to the service user’s case was his refusal to have a carer to look after his needs and assist him with daily living. As noted previously, patients want to feel that they are still needed and they still have the capacity to perform ADL (NICE, 2011). Surrendering one’s independence to a carer is perceived as demeaning and also depressing (NICE, 2011). Hence, I sought the manager’s approval to transfer the service user to a residential home temporarily until his house has been deep cleaned and modified. On analysis, patient-centred care is important to improve patient satisfaction and increase adherence to a care plan. However, there are cases where social care workers have to intervene in the best interest of a patient (Collins, 2009a). This case exemplifies this exception and shows the influence of social car e workers in making meaningful decisions for the health and wellbeing of services users. Incident Three Description of the event I completed a social care assessment for an elderly female patient who suffered from a fall in her home. She was transferred to the rehabilitation care home following her admission from the hospital. Healthcare team members recommend the restarting of the previous care package and increasing the package. On the completion of my assessment, my recommendations were identical to that of the healthcare professionals in my team. I recommend increasing the care package since the service user is experiencing poor health and has difficulty eating independently. The patient and her family members were very reluctant to accept the additions to the care package. Family members contacted my team and arranged a meeting with all health professionals involved in the care of the patient. The purpose of the meeting was to determine the type of support that the service user needs and to identify any additions in her care package. During the case conference, health and social care professionals explained why the patient needs modifications in her home and a carer to assist her in her ADL. For instance, it was explained to the family why the service user will need a stair lift and a pendant alarm. Additionally, the health and social care team agreed with my recommendations to provide the patient with support in preparing meals, intake of medications and personal hygiene. Although the family was apprehensive about the additional cost, they finally agreed to the increase. Critical Care Incident The service user was very reluctant to return to her home after a consultation was made on why her care package will be increased from two calls to four calls per day. She was also informed to hire one carer to support her needs and to assist her with ADL. Considering the cost implications of an added carer and increasing the number of calls each day, the service user declined the addition in the care package. The critical care incident in this case is the need to convince the patient that she needs the additions to her care package. This became a dilemma since this request entails that the patient and family members will have to make out-of-pocket expenditures. This could mean an added burden to the care of the patient. To convince my patient, I have to consider my knowledge on elderly care after hip surgery. This means I should give sufficient information about her condition and why she needs the additions to her care package. Since I am practicing patient-centred care, I gently reasoned out with the patient why she needs a carer once she returns home. The Department of Health (2008) reiterate that the patient should be involved in healthcare decision-making about their care and discharge. While I recognise the service user’s rights to refuse treatment, one should also consider that social care workers have to work in the best interest of their patients. Hence, I tried to convince the patient that she needs an addition to her care package to ensure that she is safe in her home and receives adequate nutritional support. I used my knowledge in elderly malnutrition in informing the patient why she needs an addition to her care. For example, I informed her that since she is an elderly, she is at risk of malnutrition compared to the general population. Malnutrition in the elderly is defined as a basal metabolic index (BMI) of 18.5 (Harris and Hboubi, 2005). This condition could be corrected with appropriate diet, nutrition and support (Harris and Hboubi, 2005). Further, malnutrition is a significant deterrent to optimal health and wellbeing (Age UK, 2010). Patients recover slowly or not at all when they are suffering from malnutrition. Hence, it is important to address malnutrition at this stage. Apart from malnutrition, there is also the issue of adherence to medications. There is evidence that adherence to medications might not be high amongst elderly patients (Maclaughlin et al., 2005). It is suggested that cognitive functions of this group are in decline. Hence, there is a need to introduce medicati on prompts to remind patients when to take their medications. Since the patient remains undecided after our consultation, I asked her to confide to her family and seek their advice. Engagement of family members in the treatment and care of patients has been shown to be effective in improving health outcomes (Glasby et al., 2008). One of the reasons for this effect is that family members are more committed to improving health outcomes of patients. Changing Awareness This incident helped me understood the domains of rights, justice and economic well-being in the PCF. It is the right of all service users to receive equitable care (Department of Health, 2008). Justice is not satisfied when service users do not receive equal access to healthcare services. However, the economic well-being of the patients should also be taken into account when recommending additions to care packages. It should not become an added burden to a family who might have suffered from financial difficulties as a result of the patient’s illness. It was evident from the case that the family has difficulty supporting the service user. The cost implication of an addition in care package could act as a deterrent to access in health services. For instance, the family of the service user was initially reluctant to support the addition to the patient’s care package due to its cost implications. While support from social care services is available for different groups of service users, financial support is limited. Hence, this could be an important deterrent to care. In my future practice, I should ensure that al additions to a patient’s care package should be well justified, especially if the NHS does not cover these additions. For my professional development, I should always act on the best interest of the patient in ensuring that care is cost-effective and does not require patients and their family members to make out-of-pocket expenditures. On reflection, the incident was a learning experience since I need to be more acquainted on the economics of care. I evaluated my actions after arriving at the deci sion to request for additions to the care package and discovered that I was acting on the best interest of the patient. I learned that as a social care worker, I should always be an advocate for the patient. In my future practice, I will follow the same actions I made for this case. I will improve my communication skills with my patients to help them feel that I empathise with them and only wants the best care for them. Conclusion The three incidents presented in this brief illustrate the importance of patient-centred care when providing support for service users. Lessons from these incidents could be used to improve my current practise. Specifically, there is a need to communicate effectively with team members to ensure optimal and quality care of the patients. In incident one, I learned the importance of exercising my leadership and professionalism when acting on behalf of the best interest of the patient. I also learned the importance of facilitating normalisation and independence amongst my service users. Maintaining their independence would help improve their self-worth. In incident two, the values of patient safety and independence were exemplified. A home hazard assessment will improve patient safety since homes will be modified to suit the needs of the patient. In incident three, I learned to empathise with patients and to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of additions in care packages. Although the pati ent’s family was reluctant to spend for additions in care packages, the family eventually agreed to these additions. This reflective brief shows that a holistic approach should be made when addressing the needs of services users. This approach would view the issues of a patient’s case based on the social, environmental and political contexts. In this brief, health policies in the UK and NICE guidelines were used to support the discussions in this brief. The NICE guidelines serve as an important resource for information on how to manage patients with different health conditions. Social care workers could collaborate with inter-agencies to ensure that quality care is provided for each service user. As part of my professional development plan, I will continue to seek for opportunities to work with other professionals and practice positive communication. I also learned that I should respect the wishes of the service users and facilitate their independence and promote return to normal activities. I also learned that allowing my service users to regain their independence, their self-worth will increase and they will become more empowered. I also have to show empathy when addressing the needs of my patients, especially if they are concerned about the additional financial costs of additions in their care packages. Reflection has allowed me to become a better social care worker. In my future practice, I will use the lessons learned from the incidents to improve care for my service users References Age UK (2010) Seven Steps to end malnutrition, London: Age UK. Barrett, G., Sellman, D. Thomas, J. (2005) Interprofessional working in health and social care: Professional perspectives, London: Palgrave Macmillan. Carpenter, J., Webb, C., Bostock, K. Coomber, C. (2012) SCIE Research briefing 43: Effective supervision in social work and social care [Online]. Available from: http://www.scie.org.uk/publications/briefings/briefing43/ (Accessed: 12th December, 2013). Clouston, T. Westcott, L. (2005) Working in health and social care: an introduction for allied health professionals, London: Elsevier Health Sciences. Collins, S. (2009a) Effective communication: A workbook for social care workers, London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers. Collins, S. (2009b) Reflecting on and developing your practice: A workbook for social care workers, London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers. Department of Health (2008) Our Health, our care, our say: A new direction for community services, London: Department of Health. Fan, C. (2011) ‘Factors associated with care burden and quality of life among caregivers of the mentally ill in Chinese society’, International Journal of Social Psychiatry, 57(2), pp. 195-206. Glasby, J., Dickinson, H. Community Care (2008) Partnership working in health and social care, London: Policy Press. Gordon, C., Wilks, R. McCaw-Binns, A. (2013) ‘Effect of aerobic exercise (walking) training on functional status and health-related quality of life in chronic stroke survivors: a randomised controlled trial’, Stroke, 44(4), pp. 1179-1181. Harris, D. Haboubi, N. (2005) ‘Malnutrition screening in the elderly population’, Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, 98(9), pp. 411-414. Jasper, M. (2006) Professional development, reflection and decision-making, Oxford: Oxford University Press. Jones, L. (2010) Reflective practice in nursing, Exeter: Learning Matters Ltd. Langhorne, P., Bernhardt, J., Kwakkel, G. (2011) ‘Stroke rehabilitation’, The Lancet, 377(9778), pp. 1693-1702. Maclaughlin, E., Raehl, C., Treadway, A., Sterling, T., Zoller, D. Bond, C. (2005) ‘Assessing medication adherence in the elderly: which tools to use in clinical practice?’, Drugs Aging, 22(3), pp. 231-2455. McCullagh, E., Brigstocke, G., Donaldson, N. Kaira, L. (2005) ‘Determinants of caregiving burden and quality of life in caregivers of stroke patients’, Stroke, 36, pp. 2181-2186. NICE (2013) Falls: The assessment and prevention of falls in older people, London: NICE. NICE (2011) Hip fracture: The management of hip fracture in adults, London: NICE. NICE (2008) Stroke: the diagnosis and acute management of stroke and transient iscahemic attacks, London: NICE. Peck, E., Dickinson, H. Community Care (2008) Managing and leading in inter-agency settings, London: Policy Press in association with Community Care. Pollard, K., Thomas, J. Miers, M. (2010) Understanding interprofessional working in health and social care: Theory and Practice, London: Palgrave Macmillan Limited. Rimmer, J. Wang, E. (2005) ‘Aerobic exercise training in stroke survivors’, Topics in Stroke Rehabilitation, 12(1), pp. 17-30. Runciman, B. Merry, A. (2012) Safety and ethics in healthcare: A guide to getting it right, London: Ashgate Publishing, Ltd. Taylor, B. (2006) Reflective practice: A guide for nurses and midwives, Maidenhead: Open University Press. The College of Social Work (2013) Professional Capabilities Framework [Online]. Available from: http://www.tcsw.org.uk/uploadedFiles/PCFDomainsNOV.pdf (Accessed: 2nd December, 2013). How to cite Reflection on Three Critical Incidents in Practice, Essay examples

A Resource Based Analysis of Starbucks Essay Example For Students

A Resource Based Analysis of Starbucks Essay A Resource Based Analysis of Starbucks The current economic situation has required that organizations rethink the way that they do business. With people losing jobs and salaries being cut, people are spending money on essentials and opting less and less to spend on the extras. Groceries, rent, housing, transportation, education are of value while grooming, meals out, movies and cups of coffee or considered frivolous expenses. One organization that banks on Americans need to feed their self focused desires is Starbucks Coffee. Starbucks. Starbuck’s leadership, well aware of the effect that the crisis could have on the company, outlined a plan that included â€Å"increased store and operating efficiencies, additional cost reductions and long-term growth† (Starbucks, 2010). As we look well at the assets, skills, capabilities, and intangibles of the company we will develop a better understanding of whether or not their current management and planning approaches are indeed strategic. Starbucks aims to â€Å"inspire and nurture the human spirit – one person, one cup, and one neighborhood at a time†. The company’s strategy seems to have this in mind as they move forward in the spirit of innovation and community responsibility. This paper will attempt to look at the organization from a resource based point of view in an attempt to determine whether the practices have served to profit their company through these difficult economic times. In order to understand the strategies of the company it is important to understand its history. According to the Starbucks website, the first Starbucks store opened in 1971 and was located in Seattle’s Pike Place Market. Starbucks stores offered a choice of regular or decaffeinated coffee beverages, a special coffee of the day, and a broad selection of Italian-style espresso drinks. In addition, customers could choose from a wide selection of fresh-roasted whole-bean coffees (which could be ground on the premises and carried home in unique containers), a selection of fresh pastries and other food items, sodas, juices, teas, and coffee-related hardware and equipment. During those early days the companys retail sales mix was roughly 61 percent coffee beverages, 15 percent whole-bean coffees, 16 percent food items, and 8 percent coffee-related products and equipment. The product mix in each store varied, depending on the size and location of each outlet. Larger stores carried a greater variety of whole coffee beans, gourmet food items, teas, coffee mugs, coffee grinders, coffee-making equipment, filters, storage containers, and other accessories. Smaller stores and kiosks typically sold a full line of coffee beverages, a limited selection of whole-bean coffees, and a few hardware items. In order for Starbucks leadership to discover and devise a plan for successful change that would help them to weather the storm of a financial downturn, it was imperative to identify with what has significance to stakeholders, both internal and external. According to than article from PR Newswire, â€Å"creating organizations that are invigorating and meaningful for employees, customers, and other stakeholders offers the only viable formula for long-term business success in the 21stcentury† (â€Å"Today’s Most Successful†, 2007). Starbucks understood the need to become a responsive organization, meaning that they understood the need to understand the needs of stakeholders. Starbucks’ moved to open smaller stores and kiosks and their move to offer their products at other retailers, was evidence that a feedback system was in place. Starbucks engaged in Total Quality Management which is defined as â€Å"an integrative approach to management that supports the attainment of customer satisfaction through a wide variety of tools and techniques that result in high-quality goods and services† (Organizational Change, 2007, p. 10). The expectations of stakeholders became a part of Starbucks’ core belief system and as a result the needs of their stakeholders became interwoven with the goals of the company. A resource based view of the company requires that we start by looking at what the core competencies of the company are. The Pearce ; Robinson text defines core competence as â€Å"a capability or skill that a firm emphasizes and excels in doing while in pursuit of its overall mission† (p. 171). At the core of what makes Starbucks a leader in the coffee world is their uncanny knack in creating an experience and not just a great cup of coffee. It is not merely coffee that sets Starbucks apart from their competition, but it is the experience. Starbucks has cornered the market on three key strategies. The first is they have perfected the ability to give consumers a glimpse into foreign cultures by offering coffees from countries such as Kenya, Ethiopia, Columbia, Senegal, and Peru, Starbucks offers the consumer a unique chance to experience places that they may never venture to visit. Starbucks’ Black Apron Exclusive (BAE) blends feature â€Å"exceptional gourmet coffees sourced from the best coffee growing regions of the world† (Starbucks, 2010). Secondly, consumers get a feeling that they are connoisseurs of coffee and not merely customers. By having coffee roasted on site by baristas the consumer feels that he is more knowledgeable about coffee than his non-Starbucks drinking counterpart. In a nation where everyone is striving to outdo the next guy, this is a strategy that works. Lastly, Starbucks has been unswerving in providing a variety of coffee drinks. The Dulce de Leche and Dulce de Leche Frappuccino are perfect examples of this. Starbucks launches a pair of confections called Dulce de Leche Latte and Dulce de Leche Frappuccino. A 16-oz. Grande latte has a robust 440 calories (about the same as two packages of M;M’s) and costs about $4. 50 in New York City—or about three times as much as McDonald’s most expensive premium coffee. Starbucks Corp. describes its latest concoctions, which took 18 months to perfect, this way: â€Å"Topped with whipped cream and a dusting of toffee sprinkles, Starbucks’ version of this traditional delicacy is a luxurious tasty treat. † (app. -2) Starbucks has consistently given consumers something new and exciting to look forward to in the world of coffee. These three core competencies are what have become the basis for long term competitive advantage for the company. These three have become the Starbucks distinctives. The next step is to look at Starbucks tangible assets, intangible assets and organizational capabilities (p. 171). The leadership o f Starbucks has been wise in their decision to travel the world to find exclusive coffee beans and then purchase exclusive rights to many of those crops. Movie Character Analysis - Central Station EssayAccording to a case study on Starbucks by Earnings figures from the Hoover’s Company website show that even though Starbucks suffered losses during the economic crisis, their net earnings are still within an acceptable range. Income Statement (in thousands)| | 2000| 1999| 1998| 1997| 1996| Net Revenue | $2,177,614| $1,686,828| $1,308,702| $975,389| $697,872| Net Earnings| $94,564| $101,692| $68,372| $55,211| $42,128| Compiled with information from the Hoover Company Site It seems clear that Starbuck’s strategy to provide new and innovative products and to act as a responsible part of the global community have been instrumental in the company being able to weather the current financial storm. Their success is especially of note because of the company’s strict policy against television commercials and their limited billboard presence. Starbucks coffee is expensive, comparatively speaking. The Starbucks enthusiast, however, is willing to pay the cost for a better quality more exotic bean. Starbucks steers clear of the more popular advertising gimmicks like television ads and coupons. The Starbucks enthusiast has served the company well because of their loyalty and their own Starbucks evangelism. Starbucks has achieved unconventional success in an unconventional way. They stand by their high quality coffee, they offer great customer service and they take the risk of expanding into new markets when the opportunity presents itself. Their reputation is firm and because they will not succumb to cheaper beans or less effective roasting methods their competitors are left to compete with each other. Howard Schultz, Starbucks chairman, started the year 2009 by reminding internal stakeholders of his commitment to upholding the company’s core values and principles. His speech at their annual shareholders meeting clearly expressed his desire to maintain customer loyalty through continued innovation and rewards, improve and strive for excellence in their operations, and to aggressively cut costs. â€Å"The entire retail sector is operating in a very tough economic environment. While Starbucks has not been immune to the decline in consumer confidence, we are fortunate to have a world-class brand and a loyal customer base,† said Schultz. In this environment it is critical to put our feet in the shoes of our customers. † Schultz commented further, â€Å"We generate strong cash flow, have solid liquidity and are executing rigorous cost-containment initiatives to improve our bottom line. Starbucks will continue to take actions to improve our U. S. business and take ad vantage of targeted growth opportunities in high potential markets. Integral to this are our efforts to elevate the Starbucks Experience and staying true to our core values. This focus will help us emerge stronger, more efficient and better able to deliver value to our shareholders over the long term† (Starbucks, 2010). It is an indisputable fact that Starbucks is everywhere whether in the form of a local coffee shop or on the shelves of some retailer. Even when people are moving into a new area of this country they do not neglect to look for the little green circle that signifies that their favorite neighbor is around. Starbuck’s remains â€Å"the worlds #1 specialty coffee retailer†, having more than 16,000 coffee shops in 40 countries. Starbucks is the owner of Seattles Best Coffee and Torrefazione Italia coffee brands. The Starbucks name is marketed in grocery stores across the nation and the name Starbucks brands many food and beverage products. â€Å"What was once a simple chain of coffeehouses has become a force of nature in the retail business† (Starbucks Corporation, 2010). Starbucks even offers ice cream – made by Nestle’s Dryers. Though slowed by the economic downturn, Starbucks still excels in the industry. When Shultz returned to the helm of Starbucks in 2008 he continued his move toward continuing innovation and a larger global market. To state an old cliche – â€Å"wake up and smell the coffee†, Starbucks is here to stay. References Adamy, J. (2008, December 5). Corporate News: Starbucks moves to cut costs, retain customers. The Wall Street Journal, p. B3. Cage, M. (2010, January 15). Why Starbucks wins ; what local businesses can learn from them . Retrieved from http://www. entrepreneurslife. com/thoughts/entry/why-starbucks-wins-what-local-businesses-can-learn-from-them/ James, A. (2008, September 30). Starbucks newest item is hot, chocolaty. Seattle Post Intelligencer, p. F1. KASSABIAN, A. (2009, June/July). Would you like some world music with your latte? Starbucks, Putumayo, and distributed tourism. Cambridge Journals, 1(2), 209-223 . Lockyer, S. (2009, March). Starbucks’ instant coffee launch invites skepticism from analysts. Nation’s Restaurant News, pp. 9-10. from ABI/INFORM Global. (Document ID: 1663851811) Pearce, J. , ; Robinson, R. (2009). Strategic management: Formulation implementation and control (11th ed. ). New York, NY: McGraw_hill Irwin. Starbucks. (2010). Retrieved April 16, 2010, from http://www. starbucks. com Starbucks coffee company. (2003, January). The Tuck, (Pt. 1-0023), 1-28. Retrieved from http://mba. tuck. dartmouth. edu/pdf/2002-1-0023. pdf Starbucks reaches out to coffee farmers with Rwanda Blue Bourbon Coffee. (2008, July 13). Al Bawaba. Retrieved May 3, 2010, from ABI/INFORM Trade ; Industry. (Document ID: 1509458131). Thompson, A. A. , Jr. , ; Strickland, A. J. (n. d. ). Online cases. In Strategic Management . Retrieved June 1, 2010, from Irvin McGraw-Hill website: http://www. mhhe. com/business/management/thompson/11e/main11e2. html Today’s most successful companies create meaning for stakeholders, says new book by leading. (2007). PR Newswire.

Analysis of the play Romeo and Juliet

Analysis of the play Romeo and Juliet My experience watching the theatre show about ‘Romeo and Juliet’ was wonderful judging from the relevancy of the show with the original written script. Generally, the play was interesting with a performance of above average rating. Furthermore, it exhibited the most important aspects of a true Romeo and Juliet narrative.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Analysis of the play ‘Romeo and Juliet’ specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Apart from the entire production, I was impressed with the script since it presented all the major themes in a typical Romeo and Juliet volume. Some of the vital themes from the author’s narrative include the theme of fate. A perfect example of fate from the play was when lord Capulet’s servant tried to find an intellectual who possibly will read the guest list to him. In that exact moment, Benvolio and Romeo enter the room, and Romeo declared his reading ab ility. This unplanned meeting highlights the weight of destiny in the show. Another interesting scene of the production that makes it real understanding of the authors work is the casting of the romantic love between Romeo and Juliet, the physical love of the nurse and the contractual love by Paris. Lastly, the film displayed the actual meaning of gender and social disparity. A perfect example from the film (that communicated the real meaning of the author’s narrative) is Mercutio who proposed dissimilarity among people depending on ranking or social class. The direction of the film was excellent, for the fact that the director casting choice was perfect. This aspect added taste to the entire play and made it appear real as narrated in the novel. The setting of the show was perfect, with a fitting decoration of traditional English background. The set was up to my expectation, and it accommodated the various locations required for the story. Also the set added the traditional English value to the production. Could I see everything? Perfectly well, the use of black and white lighting heightened the whole experience because they added visual interest, suggested relevant atmosphere and above all distinguished between foreground and background of the stage. I could tell from the varying shapes of light on the stage that gobos lighting was employed. This gave the production a high standard ancient-like production.Advertising Looking for essay on art and design? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The costumes were appropriate for the characters and the period which the original event took place in ancient England. From the show, it was observed that various colors symbolized different status in ancient England. Another observation about the costume of the characters is the use of shield or guard. The dressing code in the film helped me to identify the different social classes that I would not have identified. The props suited the occasion because old traditional furniture occupied the stage and this enhanced relevancy and similarity with the original ancient setting. This enabled me to connect with the story in a realistic way. The sound was quite disruptive at some point due to a technical hitch; this rather diverted my attention from the flow of the play for a while. Generally, the sound was audible and it produced a fair performance apart from the technical hitch. Generally, the film was an excellent production, all the characters were represented in the play and this made the play consistent. Besides, Romeo and Juliet performance enhanced the play and improved the production with original feature. In summary, the whole performance of the play was interesting and enhanced better knowledge of Romeo and Juliet actual narrative.

Mendels Law of Independent Assortment

Mendel's Law of Independent Assortment In the 1860s, a monk named Gregor Mendel discovered many of the principles that govern heredity. One of these principles, now known as Mendels law of independent assortment, states that allele pairs separate during the formation of gametes. This means that traits are transmitted to offspring independently of one another. Mendel discovered this principle after performing dihybrid crosses between plants that had two traits, such as seed color and pod color, that differed from one another. After these plants were allowed to self-pollinate, he noticed that the same ratio of 9:3:3:1 appeared among the offspring. Mendel concluded that traits were transmitted to offspring independently. The image above shows a true-breeding plant with the dominant traits of green pod color (GG) and yellow seed color (YY) being cross-pollinated with a true-breeding plant with yellow pod color (gg) and green seed color (yy). The resulting offspring are all heterozygous for green pod color and yellow seed color (GgYy). If the offspring are allowed to self pollinate, a 9:3:3:1 ratio will be seen in the next generation. About nine  plants will have green pods and yellow seeds, three will have green pods and green seeds, three will have yellow pods and yellow seeds, and one will have a yellow pod and green seeds. This distribution of traits of typical of dihybrid crosses. Mendel's Law of Segregation Foundational to the law of independent assortment is the law of segregation. Mendels earlier experiments led him to formulate this genetics principle. The law of segregation is based on four main concepts. The first is that genes exist in more than one form or allele. Secondly, organisms inherit two alleles (one from each parent) during sexual reproduction. Thirdly, these alleles separate during meiosis, leaving each gamete with one allele for a single trait. Finally, heterozygous alleles exhibit complete dominance, as one allele is dominant and the other is recessive. It is the segregation of alleles that allows for the independent transmission of traits. Non-Mendelian Inheritance Some patterns of inheritance do not exhibit regular Mendelian segregation patterns. In incomplete dominance, for example, one allele does not completely dominate the other. This results in a third phenotype that is a mixture of those observed in the parent alleles. An example of incomplete dominance can be seen in snapdragon plants. A red snapdragon plant that is cross-pollinated with a white snapdragon plant produces pink snapdragon offspring. In co-dominance, both alleles are fully expressed. This results in a third phenotype that displays distinct characteristics of both alleles. For example, when red tulips are crossed with white tulips, the resulting offspring sometimes have flowers that are both red and white. While most genes contain two allele forms, some have multiple alleles for a trait. A common example of this in humans is ABO blood type. ABO blood types have three alleles, which are represented as (IA, IB, IO). Some traits are polygenic, which means that they are controlled by more than one gene. These genes may have two or more alleles for a specific trait. Polygenic traits have many possible phenotypes. Examples of such traits include skin color and eye color.

Income Tax (IAS12) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Income Tax (IAS12) - Essay Example Their main agenda was to look at critical issues of accounting for corporate income in an attempt to develop a discussion paper on the principles of IAS 12 and set out proposals. IAS 12 prohibits companies to give an account to deferred taxes by using the deferral method based on the income statement. It instead prefers the passive methodology based on the balance sheet. In addition to the above requirement, the standard requires corporations to acknowledge either a deferral tax liability. Thirdly, IAS 12 requires recognition of deferred tax assets when it is certain that a corporation possess revenues in future to realize deferred tax asset. For instance, given that a company has a history of losses it will recognize deferred tax assets to the extent that taxable temporary expenses in amounts are sufficient. â€Å"Fourthly, IAS 12 does not allow asset credit and delayed tax liabilities brought about by types of material goods and liabilities whose books vary in amounts at the momen t of acknowledgment† (IAS - 12). The other requirement is that IAS 12 prohibits recognition of deferred tax liabilities, and those liabilities encountered or arising from adjustments for conversion so long as it satisfies two conditions: The main investor is capable of controlling the timing of reversal’s temporary difference. ... It however prohibits recognition of deferred tax liabilities because of initial recognition of good will. During revaluation of assets, IAS 12 allows and requires a corporation to recognize deferred tax liabilities in case revaluation of asset takes place. Moreover, IAS 12 requires that valuation of assets and deferred tax liabilities based on tax consequences that may arise in a manner that a company expects to recover the amount. â€Å"The standard also prohibits the deduction of deferred tax assets and liabilities to account for its current value† (Kirk, 2005). The IAS 12 further prohibits companies from making distinctions between the current and non-current assets and liabilities in its financial reports. It also provides restrictive conditions on debit and credit balances that represent deferred tax assets that could be compensated. This requirement is based on the requirements as stipulated by the financial assets and liabilities IAS 32, financial instruments disclosure and presentation. It is worth noting that among the new information IAS 12 requires disclosure include: That for every class of impermanent disparity; The amounts of assets and tax liabilities recognized and the amount of expenses or income labeled in the income statement with respect to discontinued operations, the realization of deferred tax asset depends on future prospects over the profits coming from reversals of existing impermanent parities. There has been a rise in criticism on financial reporting for income taxes from users and preparers. The criticism is based on the implication of the current and future effects it will have on cash flows. In their arguments, the users cite accounting requirements as too complex to apply in working out income tax. â€Å"In

Hair-hashish analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Hair-hashish analysis - Essay Example The controversies attracted acts of violence and occasional threats during the early years of the show, and even became a basis of legal actions when the show opened on tour and other cities. Another reason that supports the theme of the paper is the nature of themes used in the 1960 hippie movement. The themes are described in terms of targets, goals, and beliefs of the hippies. Some of the themes illustrated in â€Å"Hashish† came as a result of protests by American youths on the wrong things they saw such as: environmental destruction, racism, sexual repression and sexism, corruption in politics, depersonalization from technologies, and violence. â€Å"Hashish† illustrates restrictive gender roles and the rejection of discrimination (Horn 176). This was a symbol of equality between women and men. A popular theme illustrated in â€Å"Hashish† is the drug use. In the song, Hair Cast talks about drug use among the generation and addresses the revolution. The drug problem has been intensively addressed as a proliferation in the community of all mood altering, illicit and physically dangerous drugs. The drugs also lead to problems such as crime, threat of crime, disease, violence, loss of productivity, growing number of users in welfare of the public, over-crowding of the penal institutions, congestion of court system, diversion of tax from productive areas, erosion of our civil rights, and corruption of law enforcement agencies. Hair Cast in â€Å"Hashish† song, addresses the theme of drug scene through the aspects involved such as remorseful mood and depressed tone featured in the lyrics. Drug use was associated with nudity and sexual freedom. This was a subject of notoriety and controversy. Nudity... In summary, this research paper has addressed the themes of the song in detail and illustrated how the aspects of the song such as musical tone, structure and lyrics represent the mentioned themes. This has been done through listening to the song and analyzing the lyrics and tone and other specific aspects of the song that represent the themes. It is pivotal to note that â€Å"Hashish† by Hair Cast takes a bold approach in addressing the dissociative counter culture, drug use and scene and individual concerns such as race and tribe, sexuality among other sensitive themes in sixties. The themes are reflected through aspects of the song such as tone, structure, background, music and lyrics. This paper has illustrated an analysis of aspects of â€Å"Hashish† from Hair in sixties, and how the song relates to sixties both as a whole and as individual movement through the musical tone and structure and song background and lyrics.

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

WADA - Essay Example However, the likelihood of doping is reduced by the World Anti-Doping Agency. This body was established in the year 1999 with the aim making sure that athletes compete in a sporting environment that is free from doping. It has come up with policies, standards and rules, frameworks, for anti-doping programs in sports. The agency also has a list of substances that are banned and methods which are prohibited in sports. The agency spends millions annually to catch dopes, even though; this amount is believed to be far from enough. WADA has influenced the world sport by making sure that there is fairness in sports. It advocates for tests to be carried out randomly during races and severely punishes the athletes who are caught doping. These tests reduce unethical practices in sports. Many professional sports leagues including Olympics follow WADA guidelines which encourages fairness, equity, â€Å"playing true†, and which define the rules in sports (Pedersen, 2011). Some elite athletes continue to dope in sports for the purpose of achieving the victory, when anti-doping organizations only expends little to catch dopes and some sports leagues even do not have an active control of

The Travel And Tourism Sector Tourism Essay

The Travel And Tourism Sector Tourism Essay As with everything else, the travel and tourism business is changing constantly with more people booking trips on the Internet, increasing numbers of adventure travellers and fewer people having disposable income since the financial crash of 2009. To get people to bring their tourist dollars to your destination, your plan must accurately identify whose vacation needs you can best serve and get the word out specifically to them. PREMIER INN RESORTS: TASK 1 Know Your Customers Know who is visiting your tourist destination. Texas, for example, did a marketing survey that showed the state brought in nearly $470 million in 2008 with European visitors, most from the United Kingdom. Washington State noted that it made about two-thirds the amount of income from people staying with friends and families as it did from those staying in hotels, so that was a significant market. Make sure local institutions keeping as close track as possible on where people travel from and their demographics so you know where your marketing is working and can more aggressively target areas where the response could be stronger. Set Specific Goals Decide what your specific goals are, such as wanting to double your tourism revenues in the next two years; draw more families to visit your tourism site; increase traffic from a neighboring state to a specified amount; or triple the number of visitors to a specific sightseeing attraction. Identify Travel Trends Stay abreast of travel trends, such as increasing interest in adventure travel, growing numbers of girlfriend getaways, changing demographics that mean more seniors traveling and increased use of Internet for bookings. Use this information to shape how your tourist destination will brand itself, what attractions it will invest in and emphasize and what marketing vehicles it will use. Get Your Message Out Figure out what vehicles will be most effective for promoting your message to the markets you have chosen, including travel review forums, social marketing avenues, Internet broadcasts, and magazine and news articles in general interest and special-interest publications or television ads. Enlist local businesses in advertising and offering specials and discounts for slow periods. Keep in mind, travellers sharing their positive experience at your destination is going to be your strongest marketing tool. TASK 2 . Do a Situational Analysis Target Markets Even if you are experienced at managing holiday rentals, it pays to do an on paper assessment of your target renters. If youre brand new to renting, you may have to do a little bit of research into your area to determine which groups you should target. Demographic Try to determine which demographic groups the majority of your guests belong to, such as: gender, familial status, household income, and education level? Its likely that other belonging who call into the same category as your past guests will also enjoy your home. Geographic What geographic area are your guests from? Do they travel from overseas? Do they fly or drive to your destination? If they drive, how far is a typical journey? Psychographic What do your guests do in their leisure time? What do they want out of their holiday? Market Needs Trends Look at your local holiday rental market as a whole. Are there any traveller groups that dont seem to be well catered for? Has your local area undergone any major changes in the past year? 5 years? 10 years? Look for trends in the number of visitors, demographics of visitors, new construction in the area, sharp increases or decreases in the value of property, significant increases in property taxes, or new or proposed regulations regarding short-term rentals. SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) Analysis Completing a SWOT analysis will help you determine where the strengths of your holiday rentals business, where you can improve, and what opportunities exist in the market, and what threats loom on the horizon. Strengths: What does your holiday home offer that other homes in your area do not? What makes your home special? Are your rates competitive? What do you do as an owner that is better than other owners in your market? Examine your online adverts.   What does your ad do well? Weaknesses: What do other holiday homes in your area offer that you do not? Are there any areas where your home could be improved (facilities, dà ©cor, furnishings, etc.)? Examine your portal website listings.   What could be improved about your ads (better photos, better written descriptions, etc.)? Opportunities: Are there any improvements being made or attractions being added in your market (have the beaches been given a special award, or is there a new activity centre opening)? Does your property cater to any of the following growing market segments: retirees, business travellers, families with grown children? Is the area opening up to travellers from a new geographic region? Threats: Are there any new property developments coming to your area (i.e. increased competition)? Has there been a significant increase in property taxes for second homes? Are there any new regulations being imposed on holiday rentals in your area? Competition In positioning your holiday home, you should consider who you are competing with for business, what they offer, and how their pricing compares to yours. After youve compiled a list of your biggest competition, take note of where they currently advertise, which marketing tactics theyve chosen to implement. Then launch your counter attack, by applying strategies that will more effectively or persuasively reach the target customers you have in common. Other Holiday Accommodations in Your Holiday Market This could include other holiday rentals in your area, as well as hotels, bed and breakfasts, all-inclusive resorts, hostels, caravan parks or camp sites. Other Holiday Destinations Often youre not just competing against other accommodations in your area. You may also be competing against holiday homes and hotels in surrounding areas, or even other markets altogether. Holiday Rental Benefits What does your home have to offer travellers? Amenities An amenity is anything included in your home that may be of interest to potential guests. The next time youre at your vacation home, go room-to-room and make a list of the items in each room. Download the Equipment and Facilities Checklist to see if youre missing anything. Suitability Who is your home perfectly situated for? Families with small children? People with disabilities? The elderly? Travellers with pets? 2. Determine Your Marketing Strategy Marketing Objectives What are your most important goals for marketing your holiday home? To receive enquiries? To book a certain number of weeks? To generate a specific amount of revenue? Positioning When setting your marketing strategy, its important to determine how you plan to market your retnal. That is, who your home is suitable for, and how you plan to ? Many holiday home owners make the mistake of trying to target uncomplimentary groups of travellers. For example, if you have a large property in the Algarve, Portugal, creating a home that is too family friendly (for example turning ample sized bedrooms into childrens bedrooms) could alienate groups of adult friends on golfing breaks or girls getaways. However, become too broad in your appeal, and you could seem bland or irrelevant to travellers. Marketing Mix Most marketing activities conducted by holiday rental homeowners fall into the categories of online advertising, offline advertising, and word-of-mouth marketing. Online Advertising Portal websites like HomeAway.co.uk or OwnersDirect.co.uk Specialised websites like your local tourist board Personal websites (your holiday rentals business website) Offline Advertising Print media like newspapers and magazines Radio or TV Collateral material like business cards, fliers or vouchers Word-of-Mouth Customer relationship marketing efforts to past guests, or friends and family discounts Referrals Charitable donations Marketing Research Get to Know Your Target Customer Take the time to do some research about your target renter. The best way to do this is by talking to past guests, friends, and family members about what they enjoy about your home, what could be improved, and whether or not it fulfils the requirements they are looking for in a holiday home. You can also download our Guest Feedback Survey to send to your previous guests Become an Expert on Your Local Area Travellers will often look to you for advice about your area. Put on your travel agent hat and learn about the area attractions and restaurants that may interest your target renters. Stay Current with Events in Your Market Its important to stay abreast of events in your area. Consider subscribing to the local newspaper in your vacation home market or set up Google News Alerts to come to your email. Follow Industry Trends Staying educated on the holiday rental industry will give you a leg up in marketing your home. Keep an eye on our Industry News section, for the latest reports. 3. Get Your Financials in Order (Budgets and Forecasts) Break-Even Analysiskeys to success Even if you do not rely heavily on rentals to cover the expenses for your home, its important to determine how much money you have coming in and how much you have going out each month. Revenue How much rental income do you hope to generate from your holiday home this year? Formula for projected revenue for primarily weekly rental markets: (Number of Peak Weeks x Peak Rate) + (Number of Off-Peak Weeks x Off-Peak Rate) + (Number of Weekends x Weekend Rate) Formula for projected revenue for primarily nightly rental markets: (Number of Peak Nights x Peak Nightly Rate) + (Number of Off-Peak Nights x Off-Peak Nightly Rate) Expenses What do you expect to spend this year to keep your holiday rental running? Note: This formula does not include capital improvements. Cash Flow Calculating your projected cash flow should help keep you aware of where you stand in relation to your rental goals. In addition, consider setting milestones or benchmarks for where you should be when. If you hit a milestone and determine that youre not on course, then its time to implement a contingency plan. Sales Forecast During which months do you get the majority of your income? Be sure to factor in payment schedules, but to simplify the cash flow process, do not include any refundable deposits (otherwise youll have to also include the refund in your expenses). Expense Forecast Determine when you will have money coming out of pocket. Which expenses occur monthly (e.g. mortgage, utilities, etc.)? Quarterly?   Annually? Dont forget about seasonal fixed expenses like such as home or grounds maintenance. Contingency Planning What potential difficulties do you foresee in renting your holiday home? Brainstorm all of the potential problems you could face in your rentals process, and create a plan and a backup plan to deal with each one if it occurs. By preparing contingency plans, you wont be caught off-guard when a less-than-ideal situation arises. 4. Determine Your Personal Keys to Success in Renting Your Home After creating a marketing plan for your holiday rental home, you should be able to answer the following questions: Who is your target market and how is your home best suited for them? What is your homes theme or position in the market? Which marketing vehicles should you use to reach your target renters? How many peak weeks, off-peak weeks, and weekends do you need to rent to break-even on your fixed expenses? What are the potential risks in renting your holiday home and what can you proactively do to prepare for them? What you define as success may be different to what other owners in your area would. The key to personal success in renting is to set goals for yourself and your holiday rental. By setting goals before you begin, you always have a number of booked weeks (or nights) to work toward and will more likely stay motivated and fulfilled (INSKIPP, Carol, 2008) COMMUNICATION SKILLS: As a tour guide, communication will be your main tool in informing and guiding guests around sights and keeping their interest. Below, we have some suggested reasons why communication is so important in a tour guiding context. After reading through them, why dont you tackle the activities which follow, which are based on some of the main reasons for communicating in tour guiding. To inform, remind and advise You will use communication to present your country to tourists. As a tour guide you will have to answer many questions, handle queries and present information to tourists. Among these types of information will be: à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ giving directions and commentaries; à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ explaining procedures and itineraries; à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ providing advice on safety and security; and à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ describing tourist attractions. This information to guests can be: helpful suggestions to prepare themselves for a tour, advice about personal belongings to take, medical advice on preventative medicines, and information about available services at tourist destinations. To clarify, and to avoid confusion and misunderstandings Communication helps to clarify facts so that there is no confusion or misunderstandings. Also, sometimes there are unexpected events during a tour which can force the tour guide to change plans, and these changed plans have to be communicated to the tour group as soon as possible, to get consensus on alternative itineraries. To promote and persuade Communication is also the tool youll use to promote the tourism products and services of your country, such as the destinations and events they will visit and enquire about. Remember, tourists visit your country in order to see what attractions the country has to offer and to perceive and experience the country from your perspective. As a tour guide, therefore, it will be your responsibility to motivate and reinforce the tourists interest in your country. Your commentaries are the  « eye  » through which tourists will see the country and you are the representative of the people of your country. To build relationships How well you communicate with your tour group will determine the success of the tour and how successful you are in your career as a tour guide. Conversations help to develop rapport which will build interpersonal relationships. This is important for sustaining the tourism activities. To evaluate your services Communication will enable you to collect relevant feedback from the tourists with a view to gauging the interests and expectations of the tourists. This feedback obtained can be communicated to all concerned. From this you will be able to explore ways of improving subsequent tour activities. TASK 1 Email To: XXXX From Anamika Sinha CC Subject Cox kings share Holdings Dear XXXXXX I have recently visited Cox kings share Holdings and attach my report. The prospects for devolving HR activities to the line are examined in this article. Evidence drawn from a wider study of HRM in practice suggests that, while line manager involvement is possible, their practices tend to be inconsistent in implementation and uneven in quality. A number of constraints on line management practice were identified. First, there is limited reinforcement of practice through institutional forces. Secondly, the short-term nature of managerial activity means that a greater priority is placed on the achievement of the numbers rather than the achievement of numbers through people. Finally, downsizing and delivering place tremendous pressures on the time which line managers could allow for people matters generally. These findings challenge much of the rhetoric associated with the idea of giving HRM back to the line by arguing that the quality of line management practice may distort the overall impact of HR policies. TASK 2 Phone Communication Phone communication remains an important means of business communication because it can link partners, employees and business professionals nationally and globally. Costs of phone communication can be significant, particularly if a business requires a lot of international calls. Verbal Communication Verbal communication in groups and between individuals is still a critical and popular method of business communication. Mastering the art of verbal communication can help you articulate ideas and solve problems in ways that everyone will understand. The Internet and social media Web-based portals, such as Face book and Twitter, have taken the business world by storm. Email and social media represent ways for businesses to communicate important information in a matter of seconds. Fax Faxing is a fast way to communicate information and data as well. Faxing can be especially beneficial when information needs to be communicated in hard copy. Written Communication Believe it or not, companies still write memos and other reports that communicate information internally throughout a company. Written communication is an important method of communication because it helps establish a paper trail. TASK 4  · Speed and Costs of Communication The most significant impact of technology on communication is the spread of the internet and the possibility of sending emails and chatting. In the pre-information technology days, a document often required re-typing on the typewriter before the final version. Sending the letter across to someone else required a visit to the post office and a postage stamp. Faster methods such as telegrams had severe limitations in text, and remained costly. Computers and the internet have made easy the process of creating and editing documents and applying features such as spell check and grammar check automatically. Email allows sending the document to any part of the globe within seconds, making telegrams, and even ordinary letters mostly obsolete. The internet has thus increased the speed of communications manifold, and reduced the costs drastically.  · Quality of Communication The huge amount of knowledge accessible by a click of the mouse has helped improve the quality of communication. Translating a text from an unfamiliar language to a familiar language, seeking out the meaning of an unknown word, and getting follow up information on an unfamiliar concept are all possible thanks to the internet. Technology allows easy storage and retrieval of communication when needed, especially verbal communication, the storage of which was very difficult before. It now becomes easier to rewind and clear misconceptions rather than make assumptions, or contacting the person again to clear doubt.  · Change in Communication Style The invention of new gadgets such as mobile phones makes communication easier by allowing people to communicate from anywhere. An underestimated impact of mobile gadgets is their impact on the nature of communications. The nature of such impact includes the following: The possibility of high quality communication from anywhere in the world to anywhere else at low costs has led to a marked decline in face-to-face communications and to an increased reliance on verbal and written communication over electronic mediums. The small keyboards in mobile phone and other hand held devices that make typing difficult has resulted in a radical shortening of words and increasing use of symbol and shortcuts, with little or no adherence to traditional grammatical rules. Such change now finds increasing acceptance in the business community. Communication has become concise and short, and the adage brevity is the soul of wit finds widespread implementation, though unintentionally.  · Accessibility to Communication The answer to the question how has technology changed communication is incomplete without a mention of the role of technology in the democratization of communication systems. Technology has brought down the costs of communication significantly and improved peoples access to communication. The proliferation of online forums, live coverage of news, and other such media related initiatives have resulted in world wide access and participation in news and information for almost everyone. In the realm of business, access to communication or privileged information was hitherto a major source of competitive advantage. Technology helps remove such barriers and ensure a level playing field in this aspect for the most part.  · Nature of Communication The ease of communication and the spread of interactive communication methods such as instant messengers and video conferencing has increased the volume of communications, but reduced the average length of communications. People now communicate whatever comes up instantly, and tend to break up different topics into different communications. Finally, technologies such as the internet help spread the net of communication by tracking down old friends, shedding light on new business opportunities, and the like (JOHN SWARBROOKE, Susan Horner, 2001) PEOPLE IN THE ORGANISATION: TASK 1 All these organisations are connected to either the National Government, which is departments or ministries, or to local Government. This chart shows the range of commercial and non commercial organisations involved in Travel and Tourism. The government organisation, the DCMS (The Department for Culture Media and Sport. This is one of the many civil service departments which serve the elected government of the day, whatever their political views. These departments do not have any political bias. Examples: Treasury doles out all the money the taxpayers money to other departments, e.g. education, defence, DEFRA (Department for the Farming and Rural Affairs), which is the department for the environment.  · The DCMS is responsible for and to oversee: Government policy on the arts, Sport The National Lottery, Tourism, Libraries, Museums and galleries, Broadcasting, Film, The music Industry, Press freedom and regulation licensing, Gambling Historic environment.  · The present secretary of the DCMS is Tessa Jowell. Funding of the DCMS ===================  · Funding comes from the taxpayer (income tax)  · In addition, the Treasury decides what share each government department will get. Stakeholders Stakeholders are anyone who has an interest in an organisation. The people who are hold an interest in the DCMS range from: Government of the day. This is because DCMS carries out the policies. This relates to Tomorrows Tourism Today, which outlines plans for action and responsibilities for delivery for the DCMS and its key partners in five areas. These are the four joint priorities agreed by the DCMS and the tourism industry; marketing and e-tourism, quality, skills and data, plus a fifth priority for the DCMS advocacy for tourism across Whitehall and the EU. Tomorrows Tourism Today, which had the working title of the Tourism Prospectus, is the result of consultation by the DCMS with its key partnership organisations; Visit Britain, the England Marketing Advisory Board (EMAB), the Tourism Alliance, the Local Government Association and the Regional Development Agencies. It also reflects comments from over 30 organisations and individuals who responded to a final round of general consultation. The idea for Tomorrows Tourism Today came from the series of Hartwell Conferences between the DCMS and the tourism industry. They were part of the process of tackling the downturn in tourism that followed the Foot and Mouth outbreak and the September 11th attacks in 2001. The public as the taxpayers, as the DCMS is spending our money. Customers of tourism in the UK. Businesses, which benefit from the work of the DCMS. Employees of the DCMS civil servants. NGO`s (Non Governmental Organisations), which are not elected and have no political bias. Organization Chart Non-Governmental Organisations  · These are non-elected organisations, which advise the main government departments or ministries and through them advise the elected Minister of the day.  · NGO`s: Advise the department on policy. Co-ordinate activities. Produce strategic plans such as Tomorrows Tourism Today. Allocate government funds to all organisational and activities connected with tourism.  · Examples of NGO`s are: Visit Britain English Heritage Countryside Agency Sport England TASK 2 REPORT SECTION A: Communicating effectively can be the difference between the success and failure of any business endeavour. Effective business communication involves time-honoured practices and customs you can easily learn. These business communications best practices remain as relevant now as they were in the past. These best practices also apply to any form of business communication you choose to employ; whether it is a print brochure or an online website. Be Clear and Concise The most important business communication practice is to be clear with your message. Too often, business communicators load their messages with jargon and technical terms the intended audience cannot understand. Dont be vague. Use concrete terms and be specific. You should use clear, easily understood words. Avoid industry-specific terms and acronyms unless they are common knowledge to your audience. Err on the side of caution, however; dont assume you know what your audience will understand. Focus on Audience Effective business communication practices target a specific audience. Communicators should always ask Who is my audience? What is their level of knowledge about what you are presenting? What are their needs and values? Knowing the answers to these questions can help focus your message. Business communication author Ken OQuinn, writing for the International Association of Business Communicators, says you should frame your appeal in a way that makes it relevant to your audience. Your ideas need to be in their realm of experience, he writes. Dont Sell Features. Sell Benefits. Whether you are writing an internal memo or a sales brochure, your business communications should focus on value. A best practice is to sell benefitshow your idea or product will improve the lives of your internal and external customers. Selling benefits will grab attention and sustain interest far more than simply selling the features or physical attributes of a product or service. In an International Association of Business Communicators article, writing coach Daphne Gray-Grant says selling features is dull. Selling benefits generates excitement, she says, and leads to business communication with high impact. Use Multiple Channels Peter Lowy of the Business Communications Strategies group, Brookline, Mass., writes that you cannot afford to deliver your message using only one medium. The proliferation of media offers people numerous choices for consuming information. People have their preferences, and they process information at different times, Lowy says. In addition, for your communications practices to be effective, you should optimize your message for each medium. For example, a message delivered through a website will typically be shorter and more to-the-point than the same message in a print newsletter article. REPORT SECTION B: There are numerous advantages of teamwork in business. Some of the genuine advantages of teamwork have been discussed below. The following advantages of teamwork are not only applicable for businesses but they can also be noticed in departments that function with the help of united efforts. United Effort Teamwork in any business ensures that the task at hand is executed with the help of a united effort. The significance of the united effort is that the business organization that is concerned, functions like a single person, thereby enhancing the quality of the operations. There are, also, some other related factors, such as ensuring equality in profit-sharing and division of work. It also helps the members/owners of the organization to maintain a very good system, that designates appropriate authority and responsibility. A united effort, also, reflects good team building and team spirit. Division of Work Teamwork ensures that there is an equal and fair distribution of work within the organization. A fair work distribution ensures that every person or every working unit, executes any task at hand, with the best possible efficiency. The division of work, also, ensure that the work is done on time and deadlines are not extended. Reduction of Risk When the task at hand is executed with the maximum possible efficiency, there is a reduction in risk. The best advantage of teamwork in business is that the burden of failure is borne by all the members of the team and it does not fall on the shoulders of just one person. Specialization in Work Another very good advantage of teamwork in business is that a person is able to specialize in one specific field. That is, he can optimize the quality of the work that he does, and can also work with the maximum possible efficiency. This ensures a high quality output from all individuals and the whole team. Subordination of Personal Interest to Organizational Interest One of the biggest advantages of teamwork is that personal interest is subordinate to organizational interest. This ensures that all the team members put in the maximum possible efforts into their work, thereby ensuring a high quality and timely output. You must have noticed that the list of advantages points out to two basic facts that work when distributed reduces one persons workload and a reduced amount of

Best Man :: essays research papers

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Ayanna Ganges   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Critical Thinking Honors   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ms.McCue The Best Man One of the leading characters, Lance Sullivan, is portrayed very differently from the average black males in movies up until the end. Number one he is rich and he is a professional athlete. His income doesn't come from drug dealing or anything of that nature. Lance being an athlete in another perspective is also a common stereotype. Black males are commonly portrayed as drug dealers or killers unless they are rich, then they are professional athletes. This makes it seem as though black males don't have intellectual thinking capabilities. He doesn't get killed and he doesn't kill anyone during the course of the movie, although thoughts of it do cross his mind. By the end of the movie Lance ends up in a neutral position. Meaning his decisions reflect the outcome of his situation.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The only thing that was a shame about any of the black characters is that when Lance finds out that his best friend, Harper, had slept with his now fiancà ©e, Mia, he beat the crap out of him, but never even mentioned it to her. This is so typical not only in movies, but in life in general with people of all races, people take their anger out too often on the wrong party. It was his girlfriend that did the dirty deed as well. Not to mention it was a long time ago. He had every right to be upset, but I think the fighting was a bit extreme even if it did make the movie more enjoyable.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The male/female interaction was put together well because Jordan was a best friend with the other four male characters.