Wednesday, December 25, 2019

Biography Of William Henry Gates IIi Essay - 1414 Words

Gates? William Henry Gates III was born in Seattle, Washington on October 28, 1955. He has always shown interest in computers since the age of 13 years old where he attended Lakeside School. Bill grew up in a upper middle class. He has two sisters named Kristianna and Libby. His mother’s name was Mary and his father was William Sir. Growing up Bill’s house hold was warm and close they were always encouraged to be competitive and strive for success. Bill was very close to his mother. Mary had a short career of being a teacher then later decided to stay at home with her children. Bill have always showed signs of be competitive and he also loved to read. He would read reference books such as encyclopedias.(Bio) Around 12 years Bill’s parents became concerned with his behavior he was doing good in school but seem to withdraw himself at times. At the age 13 Bill was enrolled in Seattle’s’ Prerparay Lakeside School. He did excellent in all his subjects. While attending school a Seattle company donated computers to the school. Bill became curious and entranced with the computer. Bill even designed a Tick-tac-Toe program for students to play against the computer. Bill right then knew his passion in life. While attending this school, he met his future partner Paul Allen. They both had their difference on things but they still were curious about inventing software. They both went in to business in1970 Bill was 15 yea rs old. They developed a program called Traf-O-Data this was toShow MoreRelated Bill Gates: One of America’s Greatest Essay1362 Words   |  6 Pagesthat make difference. Bill Gates has made a huge difference in today’s world; he is an extremely successful entrepreneur, an active philanthropist, and a very motivated person in general. With this motivation he has and will accomplish anything he puts his mind to. He was CEO of Microsoft and became the richest man in the world. He also created one of the most credible and generous charitable organization in the world. As a positive influence on today’s world, Bill Gates has proven himself as personRead MoreBill Gates Love of Computers749 Words   |  3 PagesBorn on October 28, 1955 in Seattle to an upper middle class family, William Henry Gates III began to show an earnest curiosity in computer programming at the age of 13. Gates pursued his interest in the programming field and then cofounded the worlds lea ding company in computer software. This did not happen overnight, yet Bills dedication and genius helped him create Microsoft. Now, while being at the top, Bill Gates keeps inspiring us by sticking with his company, bringing us the latest softwareRead MoreBill Gates: A Global Leader917 Words   |  4 Pageseffect in the way we live and see life. His name is William Henry Gate III or as we all know him as Bill Gates. William Henry Gate III was born in Seattle on 1955 and was raised in a wealthy family. His father was a successful attorney and his mother was a top executive at a national bank. This upbringing gave him the opportunity to study in the most prestige school on his state where he discovered his love for computers. The beginning While Bill Gates was at junior high a group of parents raise moneyRead MoreBill Gates: The Real Most Interesting Man in the World766 Words   |  3 Pagesother than William Henry â€Å"Bill† Gates III (Khan, â€Å"Gates, Bill 1955-â€Å"). Gates, a prosperous entrepreneur and technology mogul, has demonstrated both practical and IQ intelligence through both his experiences and successes in life. Gates’ upbringing and childhood accomplishments along with his professional achievements and fierce personality all contribute to his outlier status in American society. Gates, born in 1955, was one of three children of William Henry Gates II and Mary Gates. Due to hisRead MoreThe World s Most Successful Entrepreneur, The Bill Gates Essay1419 Words   |  6 Pagesmost successful entrepreneur, the Bill Gates (ranker.com). According to Forbes, Bill Gates is on the top as the richest man in the world and Forbes 400 list of successful entrepreneurs and 7th rank of the world’s most powerful people. Background of Bill Gates: (Ref 2 books) On October 28, 1955 in Seattle, Washington, Bill Gates was conceived as William Henry Gates III. His father was an accountant named William Henry Gates II and mother Mary Maxwell Gates. Bill was an extremely dynamic and lovedRead MoreBill Gates: A Very Inflenential and Famous Man Essay905 Words   |  4 Pages Bill Gates Bill Gates is one of the most influential, famous men in the world. He was one of the youngest and wealthiest man in the world. We’re not talking about the kind of influential that doesn’t influence your everyday life directly. Bill Gates has changed technology in so many way it’s almost impossible to list them all, and one of the most respected businessman to date. During the last decades of the twentieth century, software entrepreneur Bill Gates and his company Microsoft haveRead More Bill Gates Essay1359 Words   |  6 PagesBill Gates William Henry Gates, III was born October 28, 1955 in Seattle, Washington. He was the middle child of three born to William and Mary Gates. ATrey,@ as he was called because of the III, was sent to a private school by his father, a lawyer, and mother, a former teacher now on several prestigous boards (Moritz, 238). At age 13, Bill had completely taught himself programming after taking a computer studies class. After scoring a perfect 800 on the mathematics half of the SAT, he graduatedRead MoreBill Gates and How the World Was Effected by His Accomplishments1203 Words   |  5 PagesBill Gates How he effected the world with his accomplishments William Bill Gates III was born on October 28, 1955. He accomplished many unbelievable things, and highly influenced the people around him in many ways. In University, Bill Gates was known to be the smart computer nerd, who totally amazed all of his friends with his knowledge. One of the people that he had influenced the most was Steve Ballmer, current Microsoft s Chief Executive Officer, whose room was down the hall from BillRead More Bill Gates and how the world was effected by his accomplishments1166 Words   |  5 Pages Bill Gates How he effected the world with his accomplishments nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;William Bill Gates III was born on October 28, 1955. He accomplished many unbelievable things, and highly influenced the people around him in many ways. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;In University, Bill Gates was known to be the â€Å"smart computer nerd,† who totally amazed all of his friends with his knowledge. One of the people that he had influenced the most was Steve Ballmer, current Microsoft’s Chief ExecutiveRead MoreBill Gates Essay1325 Words   |  6 PagesBill Gates We read books for a number of reasons but usually because we want to or we have to. When you pick up a book it falls into one of three types, dependent on whether it is a want to or a have to type of book. First theres the kind of book you pick up and like the look of but then the first chapter is so bad that you have to put it down because you are either too confused by the plot or you discover it has been written in some obscure untranslatable language. The second type is where

Monday, December 16, 2019

Inquiring Minds Want to Know 1 2 Essay - 869 Words

First and foremost for any case study, the reader must first understand what they are researching and why. Penton Media, a publisher of business trade magazines such as Industry Week, Machine Design, and Restaurant Hospitality, was the subject of this particular case study. Upon reading the case study on Penton Media, the reader learns that Penton Media has made great progress in the growth of their company through a six year period, 1992-1998, based on the research results provided. Ken Long, Penton Media’s Director, stated in 1998 that there was a growing belief that Penton Media was generating fewer services than in the past. In 1992, Penton Media was reaching out to their readers by having them request product information through†¦show more content†¦Upon defining the research question(s), the investigative questions need to be identified throughout the case study. For this case, the investigative questions are: What are the percentages of readers/subscribers us ing the reader service cards currently in comparison to the years past? If there is a decline detected in the usage of reader cards, what are the alternative methods that they are using to contact businesses and companies? Is there any way to implement different strategic means of these methods to enhance advertising revenue? After identifying the investigative questions, the management questions are the next step on the management-research question hierarchy. The management questions for this case include: Will Penton Media experience a decline in revenue due to the alternate methods of advanced advertising technology of customer inquiry stimulation? Penton Media will need to make a management decision is the last step for the hierarchy. In this case, Penton Media will need to decide whether to terminate the use of reader service cards in the magazines they advertise and replace the advertisements with alternate methods of advanced technology advertising. If they do decide to imple ment a more strategic technologically advanced method of advertisement, the readers and subscribers will be able to directly contact businesses and companies they are interested in on a presentShow MoreRelatedInquiring Minds Want to Know--Now! Question Seven Eight Essay820 Words   |  4 PagesCase Study Assignment Four: Inquiring Minds Want to Know--Now! Question Seven: Assume you are compiling your research report. How would you present the statistical information within this case to the Industry Week decision maker, the manager who must decide whether or not to continue to publish reader service cards? In the provided case study, Penton Media has performed a research study to determine consumer and industry interest in reader service cards, included in Penton publications (CooperRead MorePoem Analysis: Facing West from Californias Shores by Walt Whitman1879 Words   |  8 Pageshistory When I read a poem, I get an idea of what the author is trying to convey. When I read it again, it touches something within. The more times a poem is read, the more it grows within, until its very idea takes ground in some part or other in our mind, and only then is it fully understood. But because we all have different holds for the poem to grab on to, we all come from different backgrounds and even different times, how can we ever say â€Å"this is the correct way (to interpret it)†? The answerRead MoreInquiring And Analyzing The Problem984 Words   |  4 PagesInquiring and Analyzing What is the problem? 1.My Logo can’t be so big enough, I need to think some other patterns. 2.I don’t know how to draw it on computer. 3.I need more ideas. 4.I need to sure my personality is. 5.I don’t know how to design a thing. I never done it. Who is it a problem for? Myself. Where is the problem occurring? At the computer. What is the cause of the problem? The problem is I can’t use computer very well.Like how to find some similar to my logo’s picture, and how to use theRead MoreKants Transcendental Problem: How is Natural Science Possible?1403 Words   |  6 Pages(Kant 679R). Kant finds that we derive experience from concepts, this saves natural science by limiting it only to experience (Kant 688L). To prove this belief he creates the argument: 1. Necessarily, the mind or faculty of understanding contains categories of concepts {C1, C2, C3, †¦ , C12}. 2. Necessarily, if (1), then experience has features {F1, F2, F3, †¦, F12}. 3. Therefore, necessarily, experience has features {F1, F2, F3, †¦, F12}. Kant explains that concepts do not come from experienceRead MoreToyota Case Study : Toyota Company1309 Words   |  6 Pagesa division of Toyoda Automatic Loom Works gave to the creation of autos under the heading of the organizer s child, Kiichiro Toyoda. Kiichiro Toyoda had flown out to Europe and the United States in 1929 to examine car generation and had started inquiring about gas fuelled motors in 1930. In 1934, the division created its first Type an Engine, which was utilized as a part of the principal Model A1 traveler auto in May 1935 and the G1 in August 1935. Generation of the Model AA traveler auto began inRead More1.Write an Executive Summary of Your Marketing Plan for Alert Medical Bracelets1046 Words   |  5 Pageswith inquiring customers so they will help get the word out through word of mouth from experience. Last but not least we will post flyers out in the local business and the community for the target market. My Life Alert Bracelet will have to persuade the potential audience that they want and need our bracelet for the safety of their family or friends. In the process of being successful with our advertisement can create and also nurture a sense of I want and IRead MoreThe Etiquette Of Customer Service1601 Words   |  7 Pages There are justifiable situations that require customer service representatives to say â€Å"I’m sorry† without apologizing. Situations include: a plan benefit that is not covered, denial of a pre-authorization, or an appeal denial. Session#1 I’m Sorry When this occurs, there are phrases that you can consider utilizing to indicate acknowledgment of the situation. †¢ â€Å"I sympathize with your situation/frustration†. As customer service representatives, it is sometimes required for us to allowRead MoreCultural Symbolism Of Tattoos1134 Words   |  5 Pagesrealization that by having a tattoo a person is not entitled to be tawdry. People are beginning to have new outlooks on tattoos, the question remains though, why would someone want a tattoo? The pain of getting a tattoo is one of those feelings that you can’t seem to forget, especially if it’s your first tattoo. Why would anyone want to endure self- inflicted pain? That question is asked all of the time. The only answer is that receiving a tattoo, a person gains a sense an immediate feeling of self-approvalRead MoreThe Euthyphro, By Socrates And Euthyphro1733 Words   |  7 PagesEuthyphro, having the reputation of being divine and pious, told Socrates that he is indeed an expert in these matters relating to piety, but Socrates makes it his mission to prove Euthyphro wrong in the most indirect and clever way possible. Question: 1. In the Euthyphro, Socrates questions Euthyphro about his proposed course of action concerning his father. Explain in detail the reason given by Euthyphro. Answer: Socrates informs Euthyphro that he is being prosecuted by Meletus, who is chargingRead MoreMy Career Pl Paulo Coelho1673 Words   |  7 PagesMy Career Plan As Paulo Coelho puts it, â€Å"When you want something, the entire universe conspires in helping you to achieve it†. The moment I read this line in the book The Alchemist, I thought it did not make any sense. However, I later realized that what this quote means for me is that when I decide what I want, I just go for it. It took me some time to realize I wanted to be an accountant. I first had to learn about my weaknesses and strengths before knowing what career was right for me. My love

Sunday, December 8, 2019

Research Method Advent of Technology

Question: Describe about the Research Method for Advent of Technology . Answer: Introduction: Background With the advent of technology, the Information and Communication Technology industry has started encompassing a wide area, offering its scope of application in the educational sector as well. The QLD group of private schools, has established itself as one of the most recognized organization in the educational sector of Australia (Fiedler 1967). However, since the year of 2010, the profit-earning capacity of the organization, has gone through a sharp decline, that in turn has raised the question on the effectiveness of the leadership style adopted by the school authority. Project Research Problem At present, it has been observed that the QLD group of schools has been suffering from problems, such as a low rate of consumer retention and low level of satisfaction, among the students, and their families. Consequently, the students are switching to other schools, which pose a serious threat to the long-term sustainability of the organization. It has been observed that the leadership style required for utilizing the ICT for marketing the service, and motivating the employees, is wanting in the organization. The management authority of the organization is unable to employ the effective use of CRM, ERP and Intranet, for marketing the educational service, as well as for motivating the employees. Besides, the use of internet for regular interpersonal communication among the employees of the organization helps in creating a positive and enriching workplace. Hence, the research intends to examine how can an effective leader utilize ICT for influencing the clients, as well as motivating the employees. Focus of the Study The purpose of the research is to analyze and evaluate the effectiveness of the communication strategies adopted by the managers of the organization, assuming leadership roles. The research intends to examine the extent to which the ICT is being utilized by the managers for communicating the strategies and organizational goals to the respective employees. Since, in case of the ICT, the workers do not communicate with each other in real presence, it is important to understand the challenges inherent in virtual mode of communication. Furthermore, although several organizations including the QLD group of schools make use of mobile marketing and internet marketing, the importance of eCRM, in evaluating the consumer rate of satisfaction, is often being dismissed by the leaders. Purpose of the Research The areas which the particular research intends to examine, includes the following: The communication tools are being used by the organization The most popular communication strategies employed by the QLD group of schools The ways to improve the communication strategies for promoting the service before the clients (Glynn et al.2010) Research Questions: The research questions that the research study intends to analyze are as follows: Why should the QLD group of schools try to improve its marketing communication strategy? What will be the probable benefits of the implementation of a new communication strategy? What is exactly the perspective of the consumers regarding the marketing communication strategy, so far adopted by the QLD group of schools? Significance of the Project: The QLD group of schools has always remained one of the most recognized organizations in Australia. However, in the recent few years, the organization has been unable to retain its position, owing to the stiff competition in the educational sector. Hence, it is highly important to understand the role communication technology can play, in regaining the position of the organization, helping it thrive in the competitive market. The research project is expected to enlighten on the effective use of ICT that can help the organization gain the trust of the consumers. It will also help to examine the extent to which QLD group of schools will be able to customize its service, communicate with the consumers, and respond to the needs of the consumers, with the help of the ICT (Graeff 1997). Furthermore, the research will also examine the effectiveness of the currently used relationship marketing strategy of the organization. Project Related Summary: As discussed above, the research intends to analyze and comprehend the effectiveness of the communication strategies that can be or rather should be adopted by the QLD group of schools, if it wants to accomplish long-term sustainability. The research aims to analyze the usage pattern of the internet, messages or social media, that determines the organizational success of any institution. The rapid exchange of information between the management authority and the consumers, can help in capturing the attention of the consumers while also anticipating the needs and expectations of the same (Hughes et al. 2015). Planned Research Methodology Single Case Study The following project will be based on a single case study that will be researched upon. The research will be primarily conducted, on the basis of the data collected with the help of the interview, that is being conducted with the chosen employees, working in the two chosen branches of the QLD group of schools. The employees, working in the managerial position, will be able to elucidate the communication strategies adopted by the organization, as part of the marketing and promotional strategy (Taylor et al. 2015). Next, a survey will be conducted on the consumers of the organization, asking them about the effectiveness and impact of the chosen strategies, and their perspectives regarding the strength and the weakness of the communication tools. Besides this, the research study to be conducted, will also be based on the secondary data, to be collected by reviewing the literary articles and the recently published journals, dealing with the use and effectiveness of the ICT tools in reta ining the consumers, and creating consumer goodwill. Primary Data The data that is being collected and observed with the help of first-hand experience is regarded as the primary data in any research method. The primary data is usually collected by organizing interviews and by conducting surveys, whereby the data is collected directly from the respondent. In case of the present research method, the primary data collection method has been selected, as it will help in collecting comprehensive data, that is case-study specific and highly relevant for undertaking this research. The primary data is being collected in two ways- first of all with the help of an interview and secondly with the help of a survey. The interview will be organized, for gaining an insight into the commonly used ICT tools, as employed by the managers of the organization. On the other hand, the effectiveness of these ICT tools, in satisfying the consumer needs will be assessed by conducting a survey on the consumers of the organization (Bryman 2015). For conducting the semi-structu red interview, the stratified sampling method is to be chosen, whereby the consumers satisfying two criteria will be considered for the interview. The two criteria are : He or she must belong to the management authority of the QLD group of Schools He or she must have been involved in the marketing activities of the organization, since the last 5 years. On the other hand, the survey will be conducted for recording the response of the consumers, in relation to the present ICT strategies implemented by the organization, A Random Sampling Method can be adopted for conducting the survey, whereby the guardians of the students, studying in the institution will be asked to respond to the online survey questions mailed to them. Secondary Data The secondary data will be collected by reviewing the latest articles and recently published journals that deal with the innovative ICT technologies, as employed by different organizations off the world, for generating maximum consumer satisfaction. These articles describe the process in which the ICT can be utilized for improving the consumer service, and fulfilling the consumer demand (Cohen et al. 2013). The consumer satisfaction can be easily measured in terms of the empathy and responsiveness of the consumers, with the help of the ICT, and the entire process can be comprehended by reviewing the literary articles and business reports of the most reputed organizations of Australia Ethical Consideration: A research should always be conducted in a highly ethical and responsible way. Hence, for conducting the following research, steps will be taken so that the research does not violate the ethical and legal norms it is required to comply with. Accordingly, the research will be conducted on the basis of the knowledge and independent research and findings, and will not be plagiarized in content. Further, the research will not disclose confidential information, and the surveys conducted, will be conducted solely after the consent of the respondents. The entire ethics checklist, that will be followed, is being cited below: 1. Will the human subjects be informed of the nature of their involvement in the collection of data and of features of the research that reasonably might be expected to influence willingness to participate? Yes 2. Will the human subjects be told that they can discontinue their participation at any time? Yes 3. Will the human subjects in your study be aware that they are the targets of research? Yes 4. If the subjects are underage, will their guardians be asked to sign the consent form? N/A 5. Is the confidentiality of the human subjects identity positively ensured? Yes 6. In cases where there is a possibility that the human subject's identity can be deduced by someone other than the researcher, is the subject's right to withdraw his/her data respected? Yes 7. Will the researcher fulfil all the promises made to the human subjects including providing the summary of the findings upon request? Yes 8. Will all necessary measures be taken to protect the physical safety of the human subjects from dangers such as faulty electrical equipment, poor grounding, lack of oxygen, falls, traffic industrial accidents, possibility of hearing or vision loss etc.? Yes 9. Will the human subject be debriefed (told the true nature of the study) after the data has been collected? Yes 10 In cases in which the human subject is dissatisfied or a complaint about the researcher or procedure, will the researcher explain to the human subject that he or she may express this complaint to the Subject Coordinator? Yes 11. Does the study involve concealment from and/or deception of the human subject? No 12. Will deception be used in order to obtain agreement to participate? No 13. Will the study involve human subjects who are legally or otherwise not in a position to give their valid consent to participate such as children, prison inmates, mental patients? No 14. Will information on your human subjects be obtained from third parties? No 15. Will any coercion be exerted upon subjects to participate? No 16. Will the study involve physical stress to the human subjects such as might result from heat, noise, electric shock, pain, sleep loss, deprivation of food and drink, drugs, alcohol? No 17. Will the study cause any mental discomfort to the human subjects such as fear, anxiety, loss of self-esteem, shame, guilt, embarrassment etc.? No 18. Could publication of the research results possibly interfere with strict confidentiality? No 19. Could publication of the research results possibly harm the human subject - either directly or through identification with his/her membership group? No 20. Are there other aspects of the study that may interfere with the protection of the well-being of the human subjects? No Schedule for Completion: For the purpose of conducting the research, the estimated time to be required is stated below: 0-2 3-6 7-8 9-10 14th Research Activities Weeks Weeks Weeks Weeks Week selection of Research topic Literature Review Data collection Data analysis Final business Research thesis Reference List: Bryman, A. 2015.Social research methods. Oxford university press. Cohen, L., Manion, L., Morrison, K. 2013.Research methods in education. Routledge. Fiedler, F., 1967. A Theory of Leadership Effectiveness. New York: McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Glynn, M. A., DeJordy, R., 2010. Leadership through an organizational behaviour lens: A look at the last half-century of research. Graeff, C. L. 1997. Evolution of situational leadership theory: A critical review. The Leadership Quarterly, 8(2), pp153-170 Hughes, R, Ginnett, R Curphy, G 2015, Leadership: Enhancing the Lessons of Experience, 8th edn, McGraw-Hill Irwin, New York, pp193 Imen Keskes, 2013 Relationship between leadership styles and dimensions of employee organizational commitment: A critical review and discussion of future directions, pp 27 Limsil, K., Ogunlana, S.O., 2007. Performance and leadership outcome correlates of leadership styles and subordinate commitment. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 15(2): pp164-184 Taylor, S. J., Bogdan, R., DeVault, M. 2015 Introduction to qualitative research methods: A guidebook and resource. John Wiley Sons.

Sunday, December 1, 2019

Music and the Healing Wings Essay Example

Music and the Healing Wings Paper Music has a great advantage; without mentioning anything, it can say everything (Ehrenberg). This statement gives, in a nutshell, what this essay contains. The elements of music; its power, influence and affects on both the modern world and the past one alike. Music is a combination of rhetoric and emotion. Just as the â€Å"I have A Dream† speech by Martin Luther King, Jr. empowered a people to envision positive days ahead music inspires the moment in an unforgettable way. This essay explores the different facets of music and its use with special focus given to its healing and wellness qualities. Dr. Alice Cash has a master’s degree in Social Work and combines that with a PhD in Musicology and has devoted her life to helping people through the avenue of healing music. We will write a custom essay sample on Music and the Healing Wings specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Music and the Healing Wings specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Music and the Healing Wings specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer An accomplished musician herself, she is wonderfully skilled in both the demonstration and application of the most current musicology and music therapy concepts and principles. Her warm and dynamic nature helps make her workshops informative, timely and enjoyable for participants at large (healingmusicenterprises.com). In order for the understanding to accept something like this can actually be done, it helps to know the qualities of music and the many uses for it. From the dawn of time some form of music has existed. Whether it is the beating of the drums in the deep jungles of a tropical nation, or the melodic memories of the music you grew up with, music has always had a significant role to play. When thinking about the uses of music it behooves the scholar to understand the message that particular types of music hold within themselves. It is commonplace to see people jogging down the street with iPod’s strapped to their arms listening to what has to be understood as ‘running music.’ When the exercise programs on the television start their shows they usually begin with some slow music to aid the athlete in a proper stretching exercise before beginning the rigorous exercise that will leave them breathless, yet feeling great.   In an interview by a female classmate with a twenty-three year old heavy truck salesman she learned: Music is just a part of life. You live with it all the time so it’s tough to judge what it means to you. For some people it’s a deep emotional thing, for some people it’s casual. I turn on the radio and it’s there in the morning; it’s there when I drive in; it’s there when I drive out (Crafts, 109). Reasons for listening to music has as many variances as there are genres of it, but one thing is clear: it is rhetorical in nature and it has a message. There are certain recognizable melodies that hold special meaning to different people, but then there are those melodies that have the same meaning to a very large group of people like states or even nations. This fact alone is enough to explore the hidden qualities of music and see what might be possible with the directed use of it for a specific purpose. For example, when your football team scores a touchdown, the band is not going to play a waltz, they are going to play something upbeat and exciting. Just as this is true, it is also true that music has wellness properties to it. The first one to explore is rhythm. A very simple, but effective illustration of this is the song we learn as small children. Read the following lyrics and see how it makes you feel: ‘If you’re happy and you know it clap your hands.’ This is usually followed by two claps of the hands and gets children excited. In more sophisticated terms: it activates their minds and causes them to move around. My point is this: without the use of any musical instrument, the song will still get children excited. Why? Rhythm. You put your right foot in, you take your right foot out, you put your right foot in and you shake it all about. These words also activate the energy in the little children. It is healthy for them to be active and if the songs make them move about they are getting exercise and thus the rhythm of the music is used for wellness. People are currently using in-the-moment music-making with rhythm instruments for the following types of events:  ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   ChildbirthBirthdaysWeddingsFunerals and Memorials  ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Private Parties FundraisersCorporate Trainings  ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Childrens Day CampsYouth-at-Risk Programs  ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   School University ProgramsProfessional Conferences  ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Wellness FairsHealing CirclesMens and Womens Retreats  ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Well-Elderly ProgramsAssisted Living Centers  ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Retirement CommunitiesSenior Community Centers  ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Spiritual Gatherings CelebrationsMeditation Services  ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Community Festivals of all types (circles4drumming.com). Musical traditions were founded upon the principles of rhythm and have added many ‘flavors’ to the music tradition. Funk is one of those flavors. This is a good example because a term used by Mayor Nagin of New Orleans to encourage its people to get back to what the city was known for before Katrina, namely a particular type of music called ‘Funk.† With most listeners not knowing the reference he gave to the music genre, he found himself apologizing to those who took it as a racial remark. The term he used was ’Chocolate City.’ This is actually a song performed by a band called Parliament. It was purely a genre of music that was popular in the seventies and found a home away from home in New Orleans (amazon.com). The American Music Therapy Association, founded in 1998, boasts of 3800 memberships to present date. Their sole purpose for existing is the development of the therapeutic use of music in rehabilitation, special education, and community settings (AMA website). When study is devoted to this unique quality of music, scholars are finding many different ways to use it to help medicine in its fight against fatigue, stress, and even muscle tension. The media has played on the subject of music and what it means to people in everyday life, but in their action movies you expect some sort of high-powered music to enthrall you into their entertainment. Love songs are called love songs because of the interpretation of love in direct correlation to the song. It can be the lyrics, but it doe not have to be; it can simply be the basic rhythm that soothes or pumps the individual up. John A. Carpente, MA, NRMT, CMT at the Rebecca Center for Music Therapy published a case study involving a boy with multiple impairments and how he was able to help him communicate through music therapy. Music played a key role in rehabilitating this boy into a person who could communicate on a level that previously was impossible. The testimony of his mother:   Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ His father and I were always looking for a key to tap into Mikeys abilities. And with music therapy, I think we found a way to approach my sons abilities. It is actually one of the few therapies that we think reaches Mikey. He started working with John last September. Mikey recognizes John and plays musical games with him. That is a big step since he does not acknowledge many people. The naked eye may not see any changes in Mikey, but his Dad and I do. Instead of spinning around in circles, he actually dances to music. And just the other day, he took a can and played with it as a drum. It was so typical, just like other kids. All I could do was cry because instead of seeing a temper tantrum or a bizarre play skill, I saw a typical kidmy typical kid. Music therapy is one of the things that create an equal playing field forMikey, and for that I am very grateful (http://www.therebeccacenter.org/ library/casestudy1.html). Music is an art, so this brings a new gambit of thoughts concerning art in general. People have been known to stand in front of a painting or sculpture for hours. Could they be contemplating life’s ordeals, meditating, allowing some power the art has on them to do what is needed while they are there? Was there a real medicinal property to Shakespeare’s comedies? The only thing that will ascertain these answers, and quite possibly create more, is to get involved in the study of some particular art that affects you. It is quite possible that the true depth of healing in the arts is just beginning to be realized by more than just a crazy few. What is just as interesting is the level we understand other aspects of life and how far we have missed the medicinal properties of the arts in general. People tend to behave strangely when they are deriving some medicinal answers through the medium of art. For example, chick flicks is a genre of movies that helps to build relationships simply because the male partner in a relationship is more likely to watch one with his partner. While experiencing the ups and downs of the movie the relationships on screen get compared and contrasted to the real relationship of the couple watching the movie. One reason that nightclubs fair well on the weekend is because relationships are in need of a place to let off the stress of a busy week in the office and this is really a constructive way to do it. This is not to say that nightclubs will solve all relational problems, but they do offer the dancer a way to release pent-up emotions. Just as people find themselves hooked on drugs or alcohol and need to replenish what the body craves, so does the body crave natural ways to relieve the pressures of life. Think about the elements involved. Music, this means rhythms are going to be bouncing around the room and that will be accompanied by musical notes to add to the flavor, and before one realizes what is happening their bodies are in the process of ‘letting go.’ This is healthy; especially for the couple realizing the benefits of ‘clubbing.’ This is just one aspect of the arts doing something constructive in society. Human interaction is becoming more difficult in America as our nation becomes more intercultural. This can be viewed as a problem or an opportunity. Because it is impossible to separate the man and his native culture, America now has many cultures within its own culture. For example, Asians that have moved here have a dream of a better life or education or have some personal reason for moving to America, and they recognize their limitations caused by the lack of understanding English as opposed to their native language, but they come anyway. They come because of the benefits we, as Americans, can offer them. However, they also offer some benefits to us. One of these is music. The use of sound as a healing tool dates back thousands of years. Now, the field of sound healing is gaining considerable attention, as sound pioneers promote the healing benefits of music, tones and instruments. Jonathan Goldman, director of the Sound Healers Association, is one of the leading experts in the field (Dykeman). It is no secret that music can soothe, excite, incite, and even assist in hypnosis, so to say that music can be used as a healing tool is not as far a jump as one would think. Given the right atmosphere, almost always provided by music, you can move people to do things they would not do otherwise.If eno ugh thought is given to the subject and how it plays in our everyday lives we discover that we use it to announce a birth, to celebrate a birthday, New Year, Christmas, and almost every other holiday that can be thought of; we use it in church, at weddings, and funerals and of course, lest we forget, graduation. To think of life without it would be like going into the forest and not hearing the birds singing or the wind blowing through the trees. We are so inundated with music that trying to view life without it is nearly impossible. To ask what life would be like without music would be to try to describe a bird without a chirp. When Goldman was asked by Dykeman to describe sound healing he explained something that was a unique description of life. First, let me point out that modern science is now in agreement with what the ancient mystics have told us—that everything is in a state of vibration, from the electrons moving around the nucleus of an atom, to planets and distant galaxies moving around stars. As they’re creating movement, they are creating vibration, and this vibration can be perceived of as sound. So everything is creating a sound, including the sofa that we’re sitting on, or this table, or our bodies. Every organ, every bone, every tissue, every system of the body is creating a sound. When we are in a state of health, we’re like an extraordinary orchestra that’s playing a wonderful symphony of the self. But what happens if the second violin player loses her sheet music? She begins to play out of tune, and pretty soon the entire string section sounds bad. Pretty soon, in fact, the entire orchestra is off. This is a metaphor for disease (Dykeman). If this is true, and from all scientific proof it is, then healing can take a much less invasive approach to the process. Obviously, there are medical procedures that cannot be replaced by sound, or music healing, but the recovery process can be a lot less stressful and painful if applied properly. It should be stated that music can and is being used in a negative sense, as the interview with Goldman reveals, and since that has been proven to be true, all that is left is for people in the medical field to tap into the resources they have at their disposal and prove the opposite can also be true of music. Some surgeons like to have music played while their in surgery for various reasons, so in a directly connected way, music is already playing a bit-part in the healing process of the human body. From a purely medicinal viewpoint, nurses in hospitals are the more authoritative voice. Many of them will tell you that the healing process is the hardest facet to having surgery. The doctors did their part, but as far as the patient is concerned, the nurses that tend to them while healing are the ones who should really get applause. The doctor had a captive audience; the nurses have to interact with us while we are in pain for what the doctor did to us in the operating room. Many patients, when telling of their hospital experience, will invariably say something about the nurses who tended to their needs while healing. Florence Nightingale described the major responsibility of nursing as that of putting the patient in the best place for nature to work upon him or her for healing (Nightingale.1859/1946, p. 6). Music can be used to positively manipulate the hospital environment to foster spiritual, psychological and physical healing. Sound is an integral part of any environment and may have an impact on health and well being. Florence Nightingale provided music as part of the healing process for injured soldiers in the Crimea, and described how her nurses used voice and flute melodies to provide a beneficial effect on soldiers in pain (McCaffery). The nurse, who is the really the unsung hero in the healing process, should be the focus of energy to the development of every possible avenue that can be placed at their disposal to help alleviate some of the inevitable tension that will be felt as there are usually too few nurses available in ratio to the patients as they come to recover in a hospital room. Everybody listens to music. The argument could be made that what is music to one could be nothing more than noise to someone else, given all we know about the arts; the time that every college student has to endure in fine arts classes as general education classes needed to obtain any type of degree; given the fact that colleges pay fine art teachers real money to teach something that is most thought of as â€Å"a class I have to take,† music should be given way more attention than it has from the medical field in the past. The argument holds merit only as the teachers, doctors and nurses allow. People may not understand languages because they are separated by large bodies of water, but music can cause them to have common ground. Just because the language is different there does not have to be a barrier with music. Again, facing ambivalence from the skeptic, the nurse has to be the one who walks into the patient’s room when they are cranky due to the pain of healing. Why not make their job easier by providing some training, as part of the regular curriculum, in music and its various uses in the field of medicine. With all they face, this could cause the barrier to be removed. Maybe it is not the universal language, but it is ranks right up there with the top ones. Music is the wind beneath the nurse’s wings that leaves the patient’s room filled with healing sounds. References Ehrenberg, Ilya. (1943). A comment on the premiere of Shostakovich’s Eighth Symphony. Music as Propaganda, 1985. inside cover. Cash, Alice Dr. (2007). About Dr. Alice Cash. Healing Music Enterprises. Retrieved 24 April 2007 from, http://healingmusicenterprises.com/Alice_Cash.html Crafts, Susan D., Cavicchi, Daniel, Keil, Charles. (1993). Music is Just Part of Life, Like Air. My Music. Middletown, CT: Weselyan University Press. Vivian, Giselle Felicia. (2007). One Heartbeat Rhythm Circles. Project Heartbeat. Retrieved 24 April 2007 from, http://www.circles4drumming.com/ Parliament. (2003). Chocolate City. Parliament. 24 April 2007 from, http://www.amazon.com/Chocolate-City-Parliament/dp/B00008RV18 AMTA Website. (1999). Music Therapy Makes a Difference. American Music Therapy Association. Retrieved 24 April 2007 from, http://www.musictherapy.org/about_ind.html Carpente, John, A. (n.d.). Creative Music Therapy With a Boy With Multiple Impairments: Stepping Out of Isolation into new Experiences. Retrieved 24 April 2007 from, http://www.therebeccacenter.org/ library/casestudy1.html Dykeman, Ravi. (2007). The Sound of Healing: an Interview with Jonathan Goldman. Jonathan Goldman’s Healing Sound. Retrieved 24 April 2007 from, http://www.healingsounds.com/articles/nexus.asp McCaffery, Ruth, Dr. (September 2001). The Healing Environment and Music. Nurse to Nurse. Retrieved on 24 April 2007 from, http://www.msnnurse.com/templateSubmit.asp?SEC=NurseToNurseDetailsId=12

Tuesday, November 26, 2019

Free Essays on Ecommerce Companies And Stock

ecommerce companies and stock valuations eCommerce Companies and Stock Valuations 1. Introduction A hot topic in today’s business culture is eCommerce. Experts argue about whether eCommerce will change business, whether or not it is a fad, and what viable strategies there are in a business world that is changing at the speed of idea generation. One thing that nobody argues about is the fact that eCommerce oriented companies have stock prices and market capitalizations that are enormous. Based on losses rather than earnings, some of these stock prices are inexplicable. This paper is a thought experiment that attempts to gather and disseminate data regarding these stock prices. Additionally, the paper will attempt to propose solutions and reasons for the current market trends relative to eCommerce companies. 2. Discussion of the eCommerce business models When discussing eCommerce, it is good to have a frame of reference. As a result, it is interesting to review the common models associated with the field of study. Gene rally, there are two widely recognized business models regarding eCommerce. These models include the B2B (Business to Business) model and the B2C (Business to Consumer) model. The fundamental question regarding these models is: is the specific model in question a revolutionary way of doing business, and hence a new business model; or is the specific model in question a facilitation of a mature business model. Depending on which model you are discussing you may get different answers. The B2B model is much more common. B2B eCommerce is roughly five times more prevalent than B2C eCommerce . Following is a discussion of the models, and answers to the above question. 2.1 B2B (Business to Business) To reiterate, it is important to decide whether or not B2B is a fundamentally new business model, or a facilitation of existing business models. It is easy to answer this question when one looks at history. The fundamentals of B2B... Free Essays on Ecommerce Companies And Stock Free Essays on Ecommerce Companies And Stock ecommerce companies and stock valuations eCommerce Companies and Stock Valuations 1. Introduction A hot topic in today’s business culture is eCommerce. Experts argue about whether eCommerce will change business, whether or not it is a fad, and what viable strategies there are in a business world that is changing at the speed of idea generation. One thing that nobody argues about is the fact that eCommerce oriented companies have stock prices and market capitalizations that are enormous. Based on losses rather than earnings, some of these stock prices are inexplicable. This paper is a thought experiment that attempts to gather and disseminate data regarding these stock prices. Additionally, the paper will attempt to propose solutions and reasons for the current market trends relative to eCommerce companies. 2. Discussion of the eCommerce business models When discussing eCommerce, it is good to have a frame of reference. As a result, it is interesting to review the common models associated with the field of study. Gene rally, there are two widely recognized business models regarding eCommerce. These models include the B2B (Business to Business) model and the B2C (Business to Consumer) model. The fundamental question regarding these models is: is the specific model in question a revolutionary way of doing business, and hence a new business model; or is the specific model in question a facilitation of a mature business model. Depending on which model you are discussing you may get different answers. The B2B model is much more common. B2B eCommerce is roughly five times more prevalent than B2C eCommerce . Following is a discussion of the models, and answers to the above question. 2.1 B2B (Business to Business) To reiterate, it is important to decide whether or not B2B is a fundamentally new business model, or a facilitation of existing business models. It is easy to answer this question when one looks at history. The fundamentals of B2B...

Friday, November 22, 2019

Faze vs. Phase

Faze vs. Phase Faze vs. Phase Faze vs. Phase By Maeve Maddox The verb faze, to disturb, is often misspelled as phase. Here are some recent examples of the error, with corrections: INCORRECT: She did not appear phased by recent reports that skinny jeans had cut off one womans circulation. - New York Times. CORRECT : She did not appear fazed by recent reports that skinny jeans had cut off one womans circulation. INCORRECT: Im focused on the good things in life. Im blessed and not forgetting it. Im giving back every day for it. Cant phase me. - Justin Bieber tweet. CORRECT : Im focused on the good things in life. Im blessed and not forgetting it. Im giving back every day for it. Cant faze me. INCORRECT: As a coach, hes a warrior. There is nothing that can phase him. - Princeton Tiger site. CORRECT : As a coach, hes a warrior. There is nothing that can faze him. INCORRECT: Easy going: Rangers fan Gary Geddes has been left unphased by the accident he had on his way home from a match. - Daily Mail. CORRECT : Easy going: Rangers fan Gary Geddes has been left unfazed by the accident he had on his way home from a match. INCORRECT: Humphrey, a 6 ´7, 275-pound Ugandan colleague sits to my left, unphased by the sun pouring down on him.- International Council of Sport Science and Physical Education site. CORRECT : Humphrey, a 6 ´7, 275-pound Ugandan colleague sits to my left, unfazed by the sun pouring down on him. INCORRECT: youve got an SUV that will be  left unphased  by Mother Nature. - Ford Explorer advertisement. CORRECT : youve got an SUV that will be  left unfazed by Mother Nature. The verb faze originated as US slang. The earliest citation is from 1830: They were too well up to these things to be fazed by a little cold lead. The word may be a variant of Kentish dialect feeze, to fright, discomfit. The verb phase, on the other hand, means, to carry out by phases or to introduce in stages. Here are examples: Starting later this month, Apple is introducing changes to its bagging policy, phasing out plastic bags in favor of a more environmentally friendly paper option.   The IRS announced plans to phase in the requirements of the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act. Disney May Be Phasing out Slave Leia Merchandise NOTE: The words phased and unphased occur in the context of gene study: Phased data are ordered along one chromosome and so from these data you know the haplotype. Unphased data are simply the genotypes without regard to which one of the pair of chromosomes holds that allele. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Misused Words category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:Regarding Re:Top 11 Writing Apps for iOS (iPhone and iPad)Running Errands and Doing Chores

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Absenteeism from School Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Absenteeism from School - Essay Example Thus, an individual's absenteeism is determined both by the information that he derives from the situation and by the set or expectation in terms of which he views the situation. The desirability of a situation is estimated in reference to internalized scales and norms of value which are determined by past experience (Burgess, 2003). That which conforms to these norms tends to be most readily perceived, and that which departs from the norms tends to be rejected. Since the absenteeism tends not only to confirm desirability estimates but also to strengthen other related expectations that are highly valued, the individual develops systems of more or less highly interrelated value expectations relative to his family, school, community, church, political party, nation, work group, and so on. These different systems may be mutually reinforcing or they may be in conflict with each other. Young people frequently experience conflict between the values acquired from their parents and those acq uired from their age peers. They may also perceive conflict between the values acquired at church and those acquired from their science teachers. Because of their high degree of independence of validating outcomes, they come to serve as stable reference points in terms of which experienced outcomes are evaluated as satisfying or unsatisfying. They also serve as comparing criteria and, as such, enable the individual to evaluate the values of other persons, groups, and subgroups. The student affected by absenteeism is one who makes evaluations in terms of his value systems without reference to the objective validity of his judgments (Byman and Burgess 2001). The value of the proposed research will be justified by increased number of drop outs from schools and low scores showed by many low class students in working areas. The concern has been validity: the truth value of research outcomes is stronger when both the data and the design are valid. Legitimating means that the research methods are consistent with the philosophical underpinnings of the question. For instance, the positivist assumes an objective reality; the postmodernist assumes no objective reality and no objective, truth. While a perfectly accurate portrayal of our notions of validity across the continuum is not possible, researchers can outline the major dimensions of thinking (Coffey and Atkinson 2003). Taking into account the nature of research, it is important to note that concerns about validity will include both external and internal validity, on the one hand, and measurement validity, on the other hand. Both these categories of concern are generated by the need to have confidence that our test, data, or design does indeed measure or reflect or produce what researchers intend it to measure, reflect, or produce. Without internal validity, one can only conclude that the approach being used to answer the question of interest is capable of estimating the relationship, and no statement about causation is possible. Even though there are those among the ranks of qualitative researchers who say they are not interested in internal validity, those who wish to infer causal relationships must be concerned with this aspect of their research. In fact, even some who dismiss this concern as being only a quantitative researcher's dilemma will admit to processes like triangulation and theoretical sampling, which are conceptual attempts and techniques to get at internal validity (Reid 1999). Absenteeism level is difficult to measure, so interview methods will help to collect required data and evaluate the level and causes of this problem. The research interview as a strategy to find out from people things

Tuesday, November 19, 2019

Psychology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Psychology - Essay Example Important here to note is that there is no meaning attached to them and no forceful repetition of the same. In case of other the both of them, the stored memory becomes a short term memory that can last with the individual for less than half a minute (Henderson, pp. 115-116, 1999). It is like when a person looks at a word or a picture for a while to recall it after a while. The longest possible recall is of the long-term memory that a person posses which can last from minutes to lifetime. One of the most important aspects of this model is flashbulb memories. Under normal situations, one would move from sensory to short term and from short term to long-term memory, however, there are special circumstances when a sensory memory directly becomes a part of your long-term memory. People who have witnessed the assassination of John F. Kennedy, 9/11 Attacks, flood, fire, murder, robbery or some extra ordinary event in their lives, even if they have witnessed, only a glance of it, they tend to remember it for ages making it a part of their long term memory (Heffernan, pp. 89-90, 2005). For the past few decades, flashbulb memories have been considered as very dynamic and life long memories, however, recent researches have shown that they may not remain with a person for that long, as it was believed previously. Furthermore, during the period of 3-12 months after the events, the memory also starts to rust raising serious questions over its accuracy (Cardwell & Flanagan, pp. 56-57, 2005). Levels of Processing Model and Revising an Exam Craik and Lockhart in 1972 presented their model of memory, which they name as Level of Processing Model. Unlike the Multi Store Model of memory, which argues about eh dual store of memory, this model urges that short term and long-term memory is based on depth or level of processing on the stimuli. Fragile, vulnerable and violate memory traces are in the short-term store, however, memories with durable and lasting elements are placed in th e long-term memory section of the brain. However, important here is to understand that what makes a memory fragile or durable? For example, processing of words based on their pictures and sounds requires shallow and straightforward processing, however, processing of things along which some meaning, logic or rational has been associated, is deeper and thus more durable (Miller, pp. 69-71, 2002). The human brain has complete network of semantic structures and whenever a specific stimuli is recalled, it will tend to have a higher recall value it is line with the existing semantic structures’ of the brain. In this case, the processing of that stimuli or memory would be deep, since many different portions of the semantic structure of the brain would come into action before a perfect meaning for the stimuli comes onto the scene. As mentioned that since it is deep processing, therefore, this stimuli or memory would become a part of this long-term memory section of the brain (Weiten, pp. 6-8, 2008). Without any doubts, the level of processing model offers great insights regarding how to revise for an exam. The basic idea to remember is that in some way or the other, the key to recalling things is associating other things

Sunday, November 17, 2019

Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation Presentation Essay Example for Free

Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation Presentation Essay Discrimination is prejudice toward members of minority or subordinate groups without considering the effects of prejudice and discrimination, discrimination often affects minority groups on the basis of age, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, etc. If a person or group of people are treated unfairly in areas of public life such as employment, recruitment, customer service and advertising on the basis of their sexual orientation then this is unlawful discrimination. Discriminators don’t always consider the effect of prejudice and discrimination. * Sexual discrimination is also known as ‘homophobia’, this means it  covers a wide range of different viewpoints and attitudes Towards lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. * Homophobia is generally defined as hostility towards and or fears of gay people, however it can also refer to social ideologies which stigmatise homosexuality. This type of Discrimination begins with Negative feelings or attitudes towards non-heterosexual or (non straight) behaviour, identity, relationships and community, this can lead to homophobic behaviour and attitudes. * This is the root of the discrimination experienced by many lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender or (LGBT) people for short. * Homophobia manifests itself in different forms, for example homophobic jokes, physical and verbal attacks, discrimination in the workplace and negative press coverage. Discrimination against anyone is wrong this chart shows how serious this form of bulling is and how deadly the consequences can be : * Although in many societies gay men and lesbians are more accepted now than they were in the past, homophobia continues to be prominent around the world and in different cultures it is i llegal to be gay, bisexual and transgender. * Heterosexist and homophobia are the result of ignorance about sexual orientation and gender identity issues. Educating society about these issues can help combat fear and discrimination against gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people * Lgbt people are more likely to experience depression and rejection by friends and/or family, acceptance and understanding can even be a matter of life and death, since the risk of suicide in lgbt adolescents is two to three times greater than in their straight counterparts Statistics show thatgt; This shows how discrimination can affect people’s mental health. Direct discrimination Direct discrimination is to directly treat a person or group of people differently because of their sexual orientation and it is against the law in the UK. Direct discrimination occurs when a person treats you less favourably than he or she treats or would treat other persons and it’s based on the grounds of your sexual orientation. * One example of this in employment is where a person is dismissed on the grounds of his or her sexuality. In a non-employment sit uation, this would include situations like refusing to allow a lesbian or gay man to stay in holiday accommodation. Bourn and Whitmore define direct discrimination as: â€Å"Discrimination which entails treatment of a person on one of the aforementioned grounds (for example, gender), which has an adverse impact on him or her by comparison with the treatment afforded to persons not of the group in question†. * Because of the Sexual Orientation Regulations Act 2003, there have been a number of employment tribunal decisions relating to discrimination and harassment of lesbian and gay men. Most people involved used overt homophobic language, and homophobic treatment over a period of time. However there is no requirement for discrimination to be overt or even conscious so even if someone isn’t aware that they are using derogatory terms they are still breaching this act. Indirect Discrimination * Indirect discrimination occurs when an employer or service provider imposes a specific criterion, provision or practices which may apply equally to people of any sexual orientation and does in fact place people of the same sexual orientation as you at a particular disadvantage. * To rely on these regulations you must have personally suffered that disadvantage. As an employer or service provider may be able to argue that the disadvantage was justified, but only if it is a proportionate means of achieving a legitimate end. * One example of potential indirect discrimination would be the provision of benefits referring to marital status since same sex couples can not marry they can however have a civil partnership. It is now no longer lawful to provide such benefits to married persons without providing equal access to such benefits for civil partners. Victimisation can occur if a claim of discrimination has been made. * Victimisation happens when a person treats you less favourably than he or she treats, or would treat, someone else in those particular circumstances because you have done any of the following: * Brought legal actions against the discriminator or any other person under the regulations. * If you have given evidence or information in connection with legal proceedings brought by any person against the discriminator or any other person under the regulations. otherwise done anything under or by reference to the regulations in relation to the discriminator or any other person; or * Alleged that the discriminator or any other person has committed an act which would amount to a violation of the regulations. * Victimisation also occurs where you are treated less favourably because the discriminator knows or suspects that you intend to do any of those things this is known as intimidation. * Allegations of discrimination must be made in good faith so to be protected by the victimisation provisions of the regulations. The extent of individual homosexual discrimination * Individual discrimination is discrimination fuelled by certain attitudes about a minority group, causing the individual to target that group, seeing them as lazy, unproductive, harmful, or unwanted in the society because of their sexuality and background. * Individual homosexual discrimination is discrimination against one person. * For example if a male patient was to refuse medical treatment from a male gay doctor that would be individual homosexual discrimination. One case of individual discrimination I found was: Lesbian police officer wins sex discrimination case against her senior Lesbian police officer court win A lesbian police officer who suffered relentless homophobic abuse at the hands of her sergeant has won her sex discrimination claim. PC Tracey West was regularly taunted by Sergeant Michael Service who claimed gay officers were p**fs and freaks. Sgt Service also made a jibe that her sexuality was an illness and spoke about her civil partnership, asking who would wear the trousers in the relationship. PC West was so traumatised by her six-month ordeal she resigned from Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary then emigrated to Australia. The 42 year-old sued the force and Sgt Service for discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation. She has now won her case after an employment tribunal ruled she was subjected to a relentless series of homophobic conduct. Sgt Service has been ordered to pay PC West ? 7500 while her former employers must pay ? 2500in compensation. A hearing in Glasgow was told the abuse started in early 2007 at the force headquarters in Dumfries. Sgt Service first made a remark to PC West that he would pass paperwork over the dyke to her at the office they shared. PC West later joined the Gay Police Association. Sgt Service claimed members of the group were all p**fs and freaks. He also told her that a fellow representative from another force could not come into their office. Sgt Service claimed he did not want the p**f in the room and that any money for tea and biscuits was not to come out of his budget. Ms West told the hearing: He apologised for making the p**fs comment and said he didnt know that the term was offensive. He then smirked. He knew what it meant and he was laughing. The sergeant also said that when he spoke about a colleague sounding so gay he meant happy. The mother-of-two made an official complaint in August 2007 after more than six months of constant abuse. Sgt Service was forced to resign in April 2008 after 20 years in the force as a result of the proceedings raised against him. He claimed at the hearing that PC West was lying and that she had made up the accusations to help fund her move to Australia, where her and her partner remain in the police. In a written judgment, employment judge Raymond Williamson said: The claimant was subjected to a relentless series of homophobic conduct by Sergeant Service for more than six months and that she suffered significant distress and hurt feelings. The behaviour contributed to the claimant deciding to emigrate to Australia and remove herself as far away as possible from the unhappy circumstances of life in Dumfriesshire. Institutional discrimination Institutional discrimination is characterized by societal-level conditions that limit the opportunities and access to resources by socially-disadvantaged groups. Institutional discrimination occurs when the culture, policies, systems and procedures in an organisation inherently discriminate against a group or groups of people. This happens because the systems and processes were designed without taking into account the diverse needs of groups within the community in relation to e. g. their sexual orientation. One case of this institutional discrimination I found was: UK Catholic adoption agency loses battle to stop same sex couples adopting. The UK adoption agency Catholic Care has lost its five-year fight to reserve its services for heterosexual couples only, in a landmark court ruling, reports the  Catholic Herald. The adoption agency based in Leeds, had taken its case to the Upper Tribunal in order to win the right to maintain charitable status while being permitted to refuse to place children with same-sex couples, in accordance with the charity’s Catholic ethos. However, they were defeated today as the Charity Commission argued that the charity’s stance is â€Å"divisive, capricious and arbitrary† and undermined the dignity of homosexual couples whose parenting abilities are â€Å"beyond question†. The tribunal concluded that Catholic Care had failed to come up with â€Å"weighty and convincing reasons† as to why the agency should be allowed to discriminate against gay couples who were trying to access their services. Emma Dixon, who was representing the Charity Commission, told tribunal judge, Mr Justic Sales, that Catholic Care’s desired arrangement would iolate Article 14 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which outlaws discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and other characteristics. She said: â€Å"A requirement to operate within the tenets of the Church cannot constitute Article 14 justification. â€Å"To do so would be to offer protection to the substance of the Church’ s belief that homosexuality is sinful. FULL STORY  UK Catholic Care loses its five-year battle  (Catholic Herald)

Thursday, November 14, 2019

Aspergers Syndrome Essay -- Disease/Disorders

Hans Asperger, a pediatrician from Austria, began to study a group of children at his clinic in 1944. He noticed that the young boys he was studying were clumsy, lacked social skills, and did not understand nonverbal communication. Asperger’s syndrome (AS), named after Doctor Hans Asperger, is a developmental disorder. Research by Woodbury-Smith and Volkmar (2009), claim that AS was originally thought of as a less severe form of Autism, in which the individual has higher linguistic ability but still lacks social skills. Many researches now consider AS an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). However, it is disputed amongst researchers as to whether it is explicit from High Functioning Autism (HFA). Many characteristics of AS and HFA are overlapped, making it difficult to distinguish between one and the other (Woodbury-Smith and Volkmar, 20089, p. 2). In this paper, Asperger’s syndrome, as depicted in the film, â€Å"Adam†, will be evaluated. Asperger’s syndrome is defined as an ever-present neurodevelopmental disorder, in which social communication is affected and discernment and attentiveness may be bounded (Woodbury-Smith and Volkmar, 2009, p. 2). According to Baron-Cohen, Wheelwright, Robinson, & Woodbury-Smith (2005), Asperger’s syndrome can be characterized by various behavioral and social symptoms: lacking the ability to understand social cues; preoccupation with one or few interests; disliking change in routines; repetitive behavior; failure to understand emotional tones in speech; and a seeming lack of empathy. The title character in the film â€Å"Adam†, Adam Raki, is a 29-year-old man who has AS. At the beginning of the film, Adam is left alone for the first time after the death of his father. When Adam meets his new upstairs neig... ...Cited Baron-Cohen, S., Wheelwright, S., Robinson, J., & Woodbury-Smith, M. (2005). The Adult Asperger Assessment (AAA): A Diagnostic Method. Journal Of Autism & Developmental Disorders, 35(6), 807-819. Hurlbutt, K., & Chalmers, L. (2004). Employment and Adults with Asperger Syndrome. Focus On Autism & Other Developmental Disabilities, 19(4), 215-222. O'Connor, K. (2007). Brief Report: Impaired Identification of Discrepancies Between Expressive Faces and Voices in Adults with Asperger’s Syndrome. Journal Of Autism & Developmental Disorders, 37(10), 2008-2013. Rogers, K., Dziobek, I., Hassenstab, J., Wolf, O. T., & Convit, A. (2007). Who Cares? Revisiting Empathy in Asperger Syndrome. Journal Of Autism & Developmental Disorders, 37(4), 709-715. Woodbury-Smith, M. R., & Volkmar, F. R. (2009). Asperger syndrome. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry,18(1), 2-11.

Tuesday, November 12, 2019

Retail Merchandising And In Store Operations Fashion Essay

IntroductionMany companies have acknowledged that bettering their shop layout ; they will be able to increase their figure of gross revenues per square pes. Even the architecture of a shop can take to an addition in gross revenues. Within the shop layout selling scheme, there are a figure of different facets to take into consideration such as – architecture, shop atmosphere and location, ocular selling and most significantly the shop layout. Ocular selling can be anything from the shop window show to hive away atmosphere, all of these artifacts are put into action when companies wish to increase their gross revenues per square pes. There are both positive and negative ways in which a alteration to a shop layout can increase the gross revenues per square pes for a company, as because of this legion actions must be considered before a company drastically changes their layout.Executive SummaryThe intent of this study was to research how shop layouts and betterments to a shop can increase the gross revenues per square pes. â€Å"Store layout and ocular selling are two of import factors that add to the peculiarity of a shop. The interior design of the shop plays a more critical role† as show on Indian MBA ( 2008 ) . Besides mentioned on Indian MBA ( 2008 ) â€Å"Space is ever an highly expensive and scarce resource. Retailers try to maximise the return on gross revenues per square foot.† This is the best manner to depict why retail merchants see the inside of their shop as the best manner in which they can increase these gross revenues per square pes. There are assorted types of shop layouts which retail merchants would see to increase their gross revenues per square pes. This study will analyze and research how retail design, shop layout and ocular selling can assist increase gross revenues per square pes, by the usage of research into trade publications every bit good as newspapers and other beginnings. Besides in this study, illustrations of shops that have successfully managed to increase their gross revenues per square pes will be mentioned.FindingssRetail architecture is a critical mechanism in the map of market intermediation. Retail architecture is defined as those market spaces that affect the relationship between supply and demand. Architecture can straight exemplify some shops societal meanings of retail relationships ; its ferociousness every bit good as its heat, and its societal category. For illustration Harrods has a high degree of retail architecture, as it is non merely a tourer attractive force due to its external historical architecture but it besides denotes people ‘s societal category as people who are of a higher societal position or societal category would be most likely to shop at Harrods. Liberty the British section shop has a high degree of grasp for its edifices history, as Creative Director Tamara Salman of vesture trade name Liberty of London adds to her aggregation the shops extraordinary 130 twelvemonth heritage. Liberty shop is able to construct upon their heritage to guarantee that they increase their gross revenues per square pes figure. With being such a strong and historical shop it is difficult for many new and approaching companies to be able to hold such a strong autumn back for increasing gross revenues. However, retail shop layouts are of import determiners of client behavior. UK manner retail merchants are able to garner critical information sing their mark consumers which in bend enable them to make insides which successful attract these groups. In the context of the shop layout, time-poor and extremely nomadic consumers require different infinites than shoppers who at leisure shop at price reductions, and selectively during gross revenues periods at assorted phases in the concern rhythm. Besides, gender differences in shopping can warrant rather specific alterations to manner shop formats and infinite allotment. Shop layouts and the ware offered are matched to the targeted consumers to the extent that clients ‘buy into ‘ branding statements. It is of import that the retail merchant additions a positive reaction to the new layout of its ware within the shop as a negative reaction would so do gross revenues to diminish. To guarantee that a company is utilizing the right type of shop layout, the retail merchant would look into their ain shop layout analysis. Within a shop layout analysis, careful consideration is given to the merchandises being sold and their location ; this can besides be seen as basic psychological science used to lure clients to pass more money normally through impulse purchasing. Retailers can besides increase their fight by closely aiming and carry throughing their clients ‘ demands. Tauber ( 1972 ) hypothesised three grounds for shopping ; personal motivations, societal motivations and impulse purchasing. Making consumer satisfaction involves presenting quality merchandises that meet their demands and is core in extremely competitory environments. The allotment of infinite within any shop can be on the footing of many factors such as historical gross revenues, day-to-day mean gross revenues, net incomes, borders, industry norms and strategic grounds. A shop layout must besides include infinite for indispensable maps such as stock list, client service desks and altering suites. For any retail merchant to hold success in increasing their gross revenues per square pes, the must look at a figure of facets such as their fixtures and adjustments, colorss of the shop inside, lighting, and window shows. Shop insides are designed in a manner which influences consumer behavior which is referred to as Ocular Merchandising. Company ocular merchants control the usage of equipment, shows, colorss, lights, music, atmosphere and floor direction within a shop.Musics:Music can be used to increase gross revenues per square pess, as music sets the tone of the environment within the shop and as peoples tempers change throughout the class of the twenty-four hours it is indispensable to besides hold music which reflects the temper of the clients. Music which is played during the forenoon should be high energy based as clients have tonss of energy and this would intend that a company would hold more people coming in and buying points during the forenoon hours. Music during the afternoon should be more laid-back as peoples energy degrees are diminishing and they are more loath to shop through the shop looking for their wanted points compared to those in the forenoon. Similarly to the forenoon during early eventide hours, clients respond better to somewhat more up-tempo vocals. Retailers should besides take into consideration their mark consumers when make up one's minding on what type of music they should hold playing in their shops.Coloring material:Colour is another factor that can lure clients into shopping at a specific shop, coloring material is immediate, emotional and memorable. Colours conveying out emotions and feelings automatically to clients, therefore it is indispensable to retail merchants to acquire the right coloring material balance for their shop. The coloring material blue is seen as a natural component, but it is besides connected with trust and stableness, hence retail merchant who use blue within their interior design in informing clients that they are trusty and apprehensible every bit good as confident. The coloring material viridity is found to be a successful coloring material when linked to hygiene and beauty, which is the chief coloring material for the company Body Shop. All Body Shop foreparts are green and have some signifier of a green coloring material within their inside. The Body Shop besides consists of natural colorss and forests doing clients experience a sense of freshness, good health, juvenility and the coloring material viridity can besides be linked to money. Colorss within the Purple class can be linked to the emotion or sense of royalty, luxury and religious. Again the shop Liberty nexus purple into their company in the usage of their web site, correspondence every bit good as their company gift bags, this enables their clients to go forth the shop with a sense of luxury which besides makes them more likely to come and buy from Liberty once more.Fixtures and Adjustments:Within any retail shop, the fixtures and adjustments are another cardinal component to increasing gross revenues per square pes. For shelves, oculus degree and somewhat above is the best place to sell garments from, as coloring material of the garment can catch clients eyes doing them halt to look at the point. Displaies should be kept simple, and have a subject to them. It is besides effectual to include the merchandises in usage or as a aggregation which can be paired up e.g. in Primark or Marks and Spencers, many points of dressing a paired together such as shirts are sectioned with pants, skirts and sport jackets as this enables the consumer to see what the point will look like paired with something else, this besides shows that they do non hold far to travel to obtain a matching jacket for a work skirt. Besides in Primark, places are normally opposite the formal or concern wear but situated closely to accoutrements such as pocketbooks and bags ; once more this is done so that the consumer does n't hold really far to go in order to finish the outfit they required. It is besides of import to hold impulse points which are normally located near to the boulder claies so that clients are more likely to buy these along with their inital shopping, this could be anything from socks to lip rubrics.Window show:Bright and colorful window shows can do the company shop window stand out from other rivals, nevertheless the usage of excessively many colorss can do the shop expression inexpensive and put clients off traveling into the shop. The lighting used within a shop forepart should be bright as this makes it more attractive and appealing to go throughing clients. A shop window is an ideal manner of pulling new and bing clients as you can utilize a shop window to construct the company image, showcase new reachings every bit good as merchandises that are in high demand. Window shows should be changed often to maintain mark clients and new clients interested in the company, and to do them halt and buy something. The section shop Selfridges is the most competent shop for their window shows as each window can state a different narrative based on whatever theme possibly inspirational at the clip. As Selfridges window show tells a shop more and more clients are intrigued to cognize what it is approximately and where they can happen the points shown in the window, this is how Selfridges additions an addition in their gross revenues per square pes.Lighting:Proper illuming can increase gross revenues by up to 20 % , hence all retail merchants will profit from utilizing the best bulbs possible when updating their shop layout. In 2010, John Lewis changed their shop lighting as the dim illuming which was antecedently in shop caused consumers to be less likely to pass money as dim lighting can do clients to experience tired. Retailers should do usage of topographic point visible radiations, as these can be used to foreground cardinal countries or even cardinal merchandises which may be committee based, therefore the more sold, the more money the company makes.Decision:As mentioned throughout this study, companies need to selectively make up one's mind which options will be best for them to be able to increase the gross revenues per square pess as the initial reaction of the clients to a new shop layout is the make up one's minding factor as to whether the company will aim more clients or lose clients as a consequence. Companies should pay close attending to the information they already poses about their clients and utilize this to their advantage, they should besides be cognizant of their rivals so that they are able to ever be one measure in front, hiking gross revenues as they go.

Saturday, November 9, 2019

Business in China

Would US companies be better suited trying to â€Å"go it alone† in China or to partner with a company that will provide tangible assets and other services for the US-based MNC? What stumbling blocks might exist when partnering with a company in China? After reading the article I believe that a US company will partner up with a company that will provide them with tangible assets and other services. As the fastest-growing major economy in the world, China continues to offer global companies attractive investment and business opportunities.However, doing business in China also means navigating the complexities that arise from China’s unique historical, political, and cultural contexts (Burkitt, 2012). Establishing a company in China can be a trying and tedious task requiring elaborate approval and registration procedures. Despite the challenges, leading US companies are succeeding in China by developing collaborative relationships with Chinese stakeholders and demonstrati ng the agility to continuously adapt their strategies to the country’s dynamic environment. Applying for approvals from various authorities is common in China.Navigating China's complex business and regulatory environment to submit the applications to the right channels is an extremely tedious process that the enlightened businessman would rather leave to a partner in China. These companies are positioning themselves for long-term success by embracing the Chinese proverb qiu tong cun yi, which means â€Å"seeking similarities while respecting differences. † In doing so, they are co-opting China’s long-term interest in stability and prosperity into their business strategies, China investment regulations and compliance issues (Chu, nd).China is doing business more and more the American way, but non-Chinese executives still must work hard at building trust in relationships with their Chinese business partners. Chinese business strategy has changed a lot, and they a dopt western practices (Chau, 2012). Cultural misunderstandings and stereotypes are one of the main causes of business failures, when doing business overseas. You should be able to share your vision and enthusiasm, with a good partner, who can bring expertise in the areas in which you are inexperienced.Having a partner from China with a good reputation and should be someone who understands the legal and financial responsibilities endemic to sharing a business, most importantly, it should be someone who has a good relationship base business culture of China; it might be advantageous to learn about some basics of the Chinese language, culture, history, and geography (Csanad, nd). If done so, your Chinese potential business partners will take you much more seriously, and you will have more chance of being able to get the business with whom you get along and also to keep up with frequent regulatory changes can prove daunting for businesses.There are some barriers in doing business in Ch ina, because we must learn the cultural and religious differences. One con is that most Chinese business activities and deals are made through face to face interactions. To successfully launch a business in China you will need to travel to china and meet with your partners and employers unlike in the US they will do meetings on the phone and via webcam.A pro, which can still be part of barriers, is that having a Chinese company as a partner they can help you with land and buildings, because they know the country and where the best place would be the con to that is that you have to rely on someone else, to do the leg work with you. Another barrier is that the US likes to work direct and have upfront communication while the Chinese are the opposite; they are indirect and try to avoid accountability for making business decisions, the US always like to take accountability and deal with things head on.A barrier that must be overcome is that American’s tend to be overly friendly, p atting each other on the back and saying good job, whereas in China that is not done, patting someone in the back can be construed as aggressive and insulting. I have to say that the barriers can be overcome, but it will take time, it’s just a matter of getting use to the cultural differences. This will take time, but it can be achieved. Business in China Would US companies be better suited trying to â€Å"go it alone† in China or to partner with a company that will provide tangible assets and other services for the US-based MNC? What stumbling blocks might exist when partnering with a company in China? After reading the article I believe that a US company will partner up with a company that will provide them with tangible assets and other services. As the fastest-growing major economy in the world, China continues to offer global companies attractive investment and business opportunities.However, doing business in China also means navigating the complexities that arise from China’s unique historical, political, and cultural contexts (Burkitt, 2012). Establishing a company in China can be a trying and tedious task requiring elaborate approval and registration procedures. Despite the challenges, leading US companies are succeeding in China by developing collaborative relationships with Chinese stakeholders and demonstrati ng the agility to continuously adapt their strategies to the country’s dynamic environment. Applying for approvals from various authorities is common in China.Navigating China's complex business and regulatory environment to submit the applications to the right channels is an extremely tedious process that the enlightened businessman would rather leave to a partner in China. These companies are positioning themselves for long-term success by embracing the Chinese proverb qiu tong cun yi, which means â€Å"seeking similarities while respecting differences. † In doing so, they are co-opting China’s long-term interest in stability and prosperity into their business strategies, China investment regulations and compliance issues (Chu, nd).China is doing business more and more the American way, but non-Chinese executives still must work hard at building trust in relationships with their Chinese business partners. Chinese business strategy has changed a lot, and they a dopt western practices (Chau, 2012). Cultural misunderstandings and stereotypes are one of the main causes of business failures, when doing business overseas. You should be able to share your vision and enthusiasm, with a good partner, who can bring expertise in the areas in which you are inexperienced.Having a partner from China with a good reputation and should be someone who understands the legal and financial responsibilities endemic to sharing a business, most importantly, it should be someone who has a good relationship base business culture of China; it might be advantageous to learn about some basics of the Chinese language, culture, history, and geography (Csanad, nd). If done so, your Chinese potential business partners will take you much more seriously, and you will have more chance of being able to get the business with whom you get along and also to keep up with frequent regulatory changes can prove daunting for businesses.There are some barriers in doing business in Ch ina, because we must learn the cultural and religious differences. One con is that most Chinese business activities and deals are made through face to face interactions. To successfully launch a business in China you will need to travel to china and meet with your partners and employers unlike in the US they will do meetings on the phone and via webcam.A pro, which can still be part of barriers, is that having a Chinese company as a partner they can help you with land and buildings, because they know the country and where the best place would be the con to that is that you have to rely on someone else, to do the leg work with you. Another barrier is that the US likes to work direct and have upfront communication while the Chinese are the opposite; they are indirect and try to avoid accountability for making business decisions, the US always like to take accountability and deal with things head on.A barrier that must be overcome is that American’s tend to be overly friendly, p atting each other on the back and saying good job, whereas in China that is not done, patting someone in the back can be construed as aggressive and insulting. I have to say that the barriers can be overcome, but it will take time, it’s just a matter of getting use to the cultural differences. This will take time, but it can be achieved.

Thursday, November 7, 2019

Biography of Leonardo Da Vinci, Genius Painter, Scientist, Naturalist

Biography of Leonardo Da Vinci, Genius Painter, Scientist, Naturalist Leonardo Da Vinci (April 15, 1452–  May 2, 1519) was artist, humanist, scientist, philosopher, inventor, and naturalist during the Italian Renaissance. His genius, says his biographer Walter Isaacson, was the ability to marry observation with imagination, to apply that imagination to intellect and its universal nature. Fast Facts: Leonardo da Vinci Known For: Renaissance-era painter, inventor, naturalist, philosopher, writer.  Born: April 15, 1452, Vinci in Tuscany, Italy.Parents: Piero da Vinci and Caterina Lippi.Died:  May 2, 1519, in Cloux, France.Education: Formal training limited to abacus school in commercial math, apprenticeship at the workshop of Andrea del Verrocchio; otherwise self taught.Spouse(s): None.Children: None.   Early Life Leonardo Da Vinci was born in the village of Vinci in Tuscany, Italy, on April 15, 1452, the only child of Piero da Vinci, a notary and eventually Chancellor of Florence, and Caterina Lippi, an unmarried peasant girl. He is properly known as Leonardo rather than da Vinci, although that is common form of his name today. Da Vinci means from Vinci and most people of the day who required a last name were given it based on their place of residence. Leonardo was illegitimate, which, according to biographer Isaacson, may well have assisted his skill and education. He was not required to go to formal school, and he passed his youth in experimentation and exploration, keeping careful notes in a series of journals which have survived. Piero was a well-to-do man, descended from at least two generations of important notaries, and he settled in the town of Florence, marrying Albierra, the daughter of another notary, within eight months of Leonardos birth. Leonardo was raised in the da Vinci family home by his grandfather, Antonio, and his wife, as well as Francesco, Pieros youngest brother only 15 years older than Leonardo himself. Florence (1467–1482) In 1464, Albierra died in childbirth- she had no other children, and Piero brought Leonardo to live with him in Florence. There Leonardo was exposed to the architecture and writings of the artists Filippo Brunelleschi (1377–1446) and Leon Battista Alberti (1404–1472); and it was there that his father got him an apprenticeship to the artist and engineer Andrea del Verrocchio. Verrocchios workshop was part art studio and part art shop, and Leonardo was exposed to a rigorous training program, that included painting, sculpture, pottery, and metal working. He learned the beauty of geometry and the mathematical harmony that art can leverage; and it was here that he learned chiarroscuro, and developed the sfumato technique he would become famous for. When his apprenticeship ended in 1472, Leonardo registered in the Florentine painters confraternity, the Compagnia di San Luca. Many of the works he did in Verocchios workshop were often completed by several of the students and/or the teacher, and it is clear that by the end of his tenure, Leonardo had surpassed his master. Verocchios workshop was sponsored by the Duke of Florence, Lorenzo de Medici (1469–1492) also known as Lorenzo the Magnificent. Some of the works painted by Leonardo in his twenties include the Annunciation and the Adoration of the Magi, and the portrait of Ginevra di Benci. Milan (1482–1499) When Leonardo turned 30, he was sent by Lorenzo on a diplomatic mission to bring a lute in the shape of a horses head that he himself had crafted to be given to Ludovico Sforza, the powerful Duke of Milan. With him was Atalante Migliorotti (1466–1532), the first of his long-term companions, who acted as a friend, assistant, secretary, and romantic partner. When Leonardo arrived in Milan, he sent a letter to Ludovico, a letter that was more or less a job application, laying out in detail the type of job he envisioned being useful to the Duke: military and civil engineering. Instead, Leonardo ended up an impresario, producing elaborate pageants for the royal court such as the Masque of the Planets. He designed scenery and costumes and developed fantastic mechanical elements for the plays that would fly, descend or animate for the audience. In this role, he was part court jester: he sang and played the lute, told stories and fables, played pranks. His friends described him as gentle and entertaining, handsome, precise and generous, a valued and beloved companion. The Genius in the Notebook It was also during this period that Leonardo began keeping regular notebooks. Over 7,200 single pages exist today, estimated to be one-quarter of his total output. They are filled with expressions of sheer genius: flights of fancy, precognitive sketches of impossible technologies (scuba gear, flying machines, helicopters) careful, analytical anatomical studies of dissections he performed on humans and animals; and visual puns. In his notebooks and his canvases, he played with shadow and light, perspective, motion, color. His drawings of humans at the time are fascinating: an old warrior with a nutcracker nose and an enormous chin; grotesquely old men and women; and a thin, muscular, curly-haired androgynous figure, the opposite avatar of the old warrior who would provide centuries of delight and speculation for art historians. Of course, he painted while he was in Milan: portraits included several of Ludovicos mistresses, The Lady with the Ermine and La Belle Ferronnià ¨re; and religious works such as Virgin of the Rocks and the astonishing Last Supper. He also made the famous drawing Vitruvian Man, the best of numerous attempts of the day to illustrate what the Roman architect Vitrivius (ca 80–15 BCE) meant when he said the layout of a temple should reflect the proportions of a human body. Leonardo ditched most of Vitriviuss measurements and calculated his own ideal of perfection. In 1489, Leonardo finally earned the job he had wanted in 1482: he received an official court appointment, complete with rooms (albeit not at Ludovicos castle). His first commission was to make an immense sculpture of the Duke of Milans father Francesco sitting on a horse. He made the model of clay and worked for years planning the casting, but never completed the bronze sculpture. In July of 1490, he met the second companion of his life, Gian Giacomo Caprotti  da Oreno, known as Salai (1480–1524). By 1499, the Duke of Milan was running out of money and no longer consistently paying Leonardo, and when Louis XII of France (1462–1515) invaded Milan, Ludovico fled the city. Leonardo stayed in Milan briefly- the French knew him and protected his studio from the mobs- but when he heard rumors that Ludovico was planning to return, he fled home to Florence. Italy and France (1500–1519) When Leonardo returned to Florence, he found the city still shaken from the after-effects of the brief and bloody rule of Savonarola (1452–1498), who in 1497 had led the Bonfire of the Vanities- the priest and his followers collected and burned thousands of objects such as artworks, books, cosmetics, dresses, mirrors, and musical instruments as forms of evil temptations. In 1498, Savonarola was hanged and burned in the public square. Leonardo was a different man when he returned: he dressed like a dandy, spending almost as much on clothing as he did on books. His first patron was the notorious military ruler Cesare Borgia (1475–1507), who conquered Florence in 1502: Borgia gave Leonardo a passport to travel wherever he needed, as his personal engineer and innovator. The job only lasted about eight months, but during that time Leonardo built a bridge supporting a garrison of troops out of a pile of lumber and nothing more. He also perfected the art of maps, drawing villages as they would be seen from the air, accurate, detailed birds-eye views of cities measured with a compass. He also established a friendship with Niccolo Machiavelli (1469–1527), who would base his classic The Prince on Borgia. By 1503, though, Borgia was running amok, requiring mass executions in the towns he occupied. At first, Leonardo seemed oblivious, but when Machiavelli left, so did Leonardo: back to Florence. In Florence, Leonardo and Machiavelli worked on an astonishing project: they planted to divert the Arno river from Pisa to Florence. The project got started, but the engineer changed the specs and it was a spectacular failure. Leonardo and Machiavelli also worked on a way to drain the Piombino Marshes: water, the movement of it, the force of it, was a fascination for Leonardo throughout his life, but the marsh project was also not completed. Michelangelo Artistically, Florence had a huge drawback: Leonardo had acquired a nemesis, Michelangelo. Twenty years younger, but although as gay as Leonardo was, unlike Leonardo, Michelangelo was a pious Christian convulsed by agony over his nature. The two artists communication devolved into a bitter feud. The two men were each commissioned to do battle scenes: hung in separate galleries, the paintings were depictions of frenzied faces, monstrous armor, and mad horses. Isaacson suggests that the upshot of the war of the battle scene was useful to both artists because they were now both luminaries, rather than interchangeable parts. From 1506–1516, Leonardo wandered back and forth between Rome and Milan; another one of his patrons was the Medici Pope Leo X (1475–1521). In 1506, Leonardo adopted Francesco Melzi, the 14-year-old son of a friend and civil engineer, as his heir. Between 1510 and 1511, Leonardo worked with anatomy professor Marcantonio della Torre, whose students dissected humans while Leonardo made 240 meticulous drawings and wrote 13,000 words of description- probably more, those are what have survived. But the professor died of the plague, ending the project before it could be published. And of course he painted: his masterpieces during this period in his life include the Mona Lisa (La Gioconda); The Virgin and Child with St. Anne, and a series of images of Salai as St. John the Baptist and Bacchus. Death In 1516, Francis I of France commissioned Leonardo for another astounding, impossible task: design a town and palace complex for the royal court at Romorantin. Francis, arguably one of the best patrons Leonardo ever had, gave him the Chateau de Cloux (now the Clos Luce). Leonardo was by now an old man, still productive- he made 16 drawings over the next three years, even if the city project was not completed- but he was visibly ill and had likely suffered a stroke. He died on May 2, 1519, at the Chateau. Sources and Recommended Reading Clark, Kenneth and Martin Kemp. Leonardo da Vinci: Revised Edition. London, Penguin Books, 1989.Isaacson, Walter. Leonardo Da Vinci. New York: Simon Schuster, 2017.  Farago, Claire. Biography and Early Art Criticism of Leonardo da Vinci. New York: Garland Publishing, 1999.Nicholl, Charles. Leonardo da Vinci: Flights of the Mind. London, Penguin Books, 2005.