Thought and Owl

Snowy Owl After Midnight The connection between humans and animals is truly a special one as demonstrated in Tim Bowling's â€Å"Snowy Owl After Midnight. † The speaker in the short story feels closely connected to the owl as he walks in the forest at night. The speaker believes that the owl â€Å"waits for [him]† and that the owl's â€Å"blood stirs/ at [his] presence. † Also, the owl seems to understand the â€Å"heightened smell of joy and fear/ [the speaker's] bones give off.Since the night is â€Å"so quiet,† the speaker feels that he and the owl are the only two â€Å"awake,† Strengthening their bond even more. Both the owl and the hunter are on a search for food hence they feel a sense of connection with each other during the long dark night. As they travel together, the speaker remembers the â€Å"months† they've spent circling in â€Å"each other's silence. † The speaker has a sudden urge to break the silence and talk to the owl as a friend. He longs to express to the beautiful winged creature about his â€Å"boyish dream† that consisted of the â€Å"beating heart of a snowman. Furthermore, the speaker wishes to hear the thoughts of the owl about the â€Å"blood† that is on the earth and what the owl would think if he knew the deaths that could be caused by the â€Å"clipped, pale hands† of the hunter. In some ways, the hunter desires to be like the owl. As quoted anonymously, â€Å"A wise old owl sat on an oak; The more he saw the less he spoke; The less he spoke the more he heard; Why aren't we like that wise old bird? â€Å"As the â€Å"dark and silent† night goes on, the hunter and the owl loyally remain by each others side.

Management Report on Effective International Management Essay

Management Report on Effective International Management - Essay Example This, in essence, suggests that management strategies and controls effective in one country may not necessarily be effective in another country (or even dysfunctional or completely ineffective). Such cross-cultural differences may arise internally, for instance by influencing the work-related behaviors of certain employees, and the interface between external labor market and the organization, such as retaining and recruiting employees. In the past, scholars have concluded numerous empirical studies focusing on the relationship between the national culture and the various aspects of management, such as strategic decision-making and long-term planning. However, only a portion of these studies critically examines the relation between national culture and effective global management of organizations. Such studies are limited in use, especially when designing the structure and operation of control management in multinational organizations (Higgs). The purpose of this paper is to provide a comprehensive managerial report to the senior management of an information and technology company operating in China and France, emphasizing on effective international management for optimal and successful operation of the organization in the two countries. Introduction The debate over the organizational need for multinational enterprises to become increasingly similar to those in the subsidiary stations as been persistent. Determining factors such as the growing importance of multinational enterprises, technological convergence, and the institutionalization of international corporate standards such as the ERP system and the ISO 9000 contribute to isomorphic tendencies of multinationals. In recent times however, some researchers claim that the global spread of managerial concepts such as decentralization and downsizing, as well as shareholder-value concepts are increasingly making organizations similar in a global context. However, a faction of other researchers has opposed the vie ws of isomorphism, emphasizing on the resilience of national cultures. According to them, the difference of institutions at the national level results in persistent heterogeneity among other organizations in different countries, regardless of operating in the same industry and subject to similar external influences (Adler, Doklor, and Redding, 2001:297). From this viewpoint, in different national contexts, effective international management should have significant different results at the organizational level. Such studies are contradictory, especially in efforts to determine which perspective receives the backing of empirical tests. Framing the issue of effective international management in such instances as either leading to divergence or convergence seems like a rhetoric trick, but it an excellent starting point for this management report. This paper seeks to examine critically the aspects of management with emphasis on multinational organizations in China and France, with emphas is on the national cultures of the two countries, as well as external factors such as business policies and regulations (Higgs). China China is among the widely recognized countries currently experiencing vast profitability and economic growth. The country is capable of producing goods more efficiently and effectively than most of the other countries in the world. The country has a Gross Domestic Product

Should smoking be illegal Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Should smoking be illegal - Essay Example The most popular of which is cigarette smoking, the other being cigar and pipes. There are some variations like the strange hookah of the Middle East or the water pipes found in a specialty bar round a city corner. The popularity of tobacco, particularly cigarettes, led to some cultural stereotypes. For example, cigar is used commonly by men. Experts point to several factors why smoking is prevalent. Among young people for instance, smoking is cool and for some, it is a passport to adulthood. Some adults rely on smoking to calm their nerves. David Krogh wrote in his book that people use tobacco to normalize their feelings within the narrow band necessary for functioning within an industrial society, where energy levels have to be carefully rationed according to expectations. (qtd. in â€Å"Wikipedia par. 35†) Indeed, smoking has become a lucrative industry that markets were now identified and there are cigarette variations targeted toward the young, men, women, professionals, sporty types and so on. Today some of the most notable brands - Philip Morris, Marlboro, Camel and Virginia Slims - have transformed themselves into successful brand identities and some, cultural icons, too. The major issue against tobacco smoking is the health consequences. So far this had been the most effective detrimental to tobacco use and a cause for those in favor of total smoking ban. Again, we quote the WHO on how smoking claim lives and produce grim statistics that have been documented through the years: â€Å"Tobacco is the second major cause of death in the world. It is currently responsible for the death of one in ten adults worldwide (about 5 million deaths each year). If current smoking patterns continue, it will cause some 10 million deaths each year by 2020. Half the people that smoke today -that is about 650 million people- will eventually be killed by tobacco.† (WHO par. 1) Researches have specifically found that smoking is a major

UEL Undergraduates Planning Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4000 words

UEL Undergraduates Planning - Essay Example The society also benefits both directly and indirectly from these higher learning institutions. The direct benefits of the society come as a result of the existence of these institutions within the locality of the area surrounding the community. These benefits include community projects that can or may be fully funded by the institutions such as the construction of boreholes or water points, health faculties can also be accessed by the community members, the society also gains access to electricity by virtue of the existence of the higher learning institutions. Similarly, the community also benefits from access to good roads and telecommunication networks that are essential for transport and communication. The benefits to the society are very many hence outweigh the disadvantages. The indirect benefits that the society enjoys from the existence of these higher learning institutions are seen through many ways. Firstly, the institutions produce very productive and industrious individua ls with skills and knowledge that they will apply to stimulate economic growth in the society. This will also later provide employment opportunity to the society members and as a result, an improved standard of living is realized. Secondly, the literacy levels of the society are increased since the institution educates trains and equips the students with skills that are very important life. ... Â  The study was done on 40 students picked randomly within the school. The methods used to collect the data were mainly through the use of questionnaires and interviews. The methods were made to be interactive so as to get the information directly from the students. This was done so as to obtain accurate and efficient data from the study. The study would later help both the students and the university itself to improve their learning and the learning techniques respectively. This would be realized by analyzing the findings collected from the study and coming up with concrete solutions that would enable the students to learn effectively. Findings After taking a sample of forty students from various faculties in the institution by random sampling method, it was established that 40% of the students take 5 – 6 hours in their personal studies while 60% take under 5 hours on their personal studies. The majority of the students was found to allocate a few hours to their personal st udies due to the fact that during the daytime, they have to attend lectures that are in most cases spread across the day with break intervals to prepare for coming lectures or go for lunch. In the wee hours of the day, most students were established to concentrate more on their social welfare than creating more time for their personal studies. 40% of the sampled students who were found to spend more time in their personal studies were serious in pursuing successfully their faculties.

Marketing and Advertising of Whirlpool Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Marketing and Advertising of Whirlpool - Essay Example According to Larson (2009), Whirlpool has found increasing success in the global market. The success of the company is due to a particular global market and brand strategy. It is the outcome of decision-making strategic at the multi-national level. The company first extended through a standardized brand message within Europe. Whirlpool has since patterned its present international success of its European strategy. The company portrays the value of employing a consistent and efficient global market strategy. The leadership in the company notes that a strategy of transnational branding has become successful. Whirlpool has succeeded through correlation of their communication, product, pricing and market channel strategies. The same techniques are exploited presently with their continued penetration of the market and growth in both Asia and Latin America (Larson,

Case study Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 35

Case study - Essay Example Among those players, the most notable and renowned name was of the Next Step Herbal Health, which was also regarded as one of the fastest establishing companies in the US by Forbes. She decided to accept the invitation of joining the company for a ‘Get to Know Us session’. While she was leaving to join the session, she conducted some internet research about the company owing to which she was able to know that the company and its operational effectiveness in an efficient manner. However, some of the internet materials also depicted the malpractices of the company within their business operations. She received a warm welcome when reached the company. She interacted with the recruiters and enquired about the reality of the articles she read on the internet about the ethical practical practices of the company. She also attended a small event where the CEO of the company described the mission and vision of the business in precise. Subsequently, she was offered a contract by t he management after which she would need to join an orientation program in the Atlanta office of the company. It is apparent that Ramona was offered employment with an attractive contract by one of the top companies of the US. However, there are certain ethical practices and situations that need to be considered by Ramona while signing the contract with the company. Since Ramona was Christian in terms of religion there are also certain spiritual aspects that must be taken into consideration. Notably, as per some of the stanza in the Bible, ethics is an important part to be practiced by individuals towards ensuring their inner satisfaction. As per a particular excerpt from the Bible, â€Å"You shall not steal; you shall not deal falsely; you shall not lie to one another.† The excerpt primarily means that one should not be involved in stealing or appreciating falsely and must not lie to one another. Contextually, it has been noted from the provided case study that the

Global Marketing Term Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Global Marketing Term Paper - Essay Example Therefore, they more or less stuck to their pricing levels in US and tried to bring in quality and technology to ensure that the product tasted better and was more nutritional. The re-entry in case of Kellogg was in terms of price. The war in the middle class consumer products is over the price. Kellogg had to compete with Mohun which has been in the market prior to Kellogg's entry. Mohun and another of the competitors, Champion were both pricing their products at a much lesser price compared to the one Kellogg did. Kellogg however, was sure of the strategy and continued with the same pricing strategy of being the premium brand among corn flakes. Though of course, the other two offered by Kellogg, the wheat and the rice flakes did not do well in the market and had to be slashed down. On analysis of the first two to three years of Kellogg business in India, it is seen that the company has not spent enough efforts in understanding the consumer preference in the market. A large percent of the upper and middle class consumers will not be having their breakfast. In addition to this, most of the people who do take breakfast would like to have something that 'fil ls' the stomach. More likely Indian alternatives like idli and vada dominated the breakfast scene in most houses rather than any other. The cereal breakfast concept did not just pick up and was viewed mostly as a health issue. Only those people who were either sick or otherwise not healthy would go for cereal food. Therefore, number of people who would be continuous or regular buyers of corn flakes was becoming lesser. As their study shows only 2% of the buyers were regular buyer which is not what Kellogg wanted to have. Kellogg had launched during its re-entry, the chocos which is corn flakes coated with chocolate. This was a roaring success and the market immediately picked up. Kellogg could corner nearly 57% of the market share in the Indian market. In addition to this, Kellogg had other products in the pipe line to suit the taste of the Indian consumer. Indian consumers want their breakfast to be filling, nutritious and less costly. It was not expected to be fun. But when the Chocos was introduced with a fun element to it, it immediately appealed to the kids and it took over the morning breakfast from the noodles and idlis for the children. Kellogg therefore had to ensure that the fun factor in the breakfast cereals continued. In line with this, Kellogg further went ahead and released the biscuits with the same brand, the Chocos and another line of special corn flakes primarily aimed at the growing Indian breakfast eaters. It had the mazaa in it; special flavours exclusively developed for the Ind ian market. On analysing further the status of the corn flakes market, it could be seen that the company was aiming at improving their continued domination of the market and might better their share. But the market itself if small and has to be increased to ensure that there is adequate growth for the company in real terms. This was taken care of in the third approach that Kellogg had. They planned to educate the people and distributed free samples to the students and the target customers so that they might get converted. In the course of time, the effect could be felt. Kellogg was intent on weaning the people who starved away the morning and then slowly