Children or adults that are not listening through general disrespect Essay

If you make eye contact with the adult or child you can draw their attention towards you. Calling out a child’s name will make them turn to face you so that you can talk to them. If you lower the tone of your voice and talking in a quiet calm manner, the adult or child would have to concentrate more to try to hear what you are saying and will also help calm an active child down enough to listen to you attentively. It’s also an affective method to calm an angry parent who is shouting and doesn’t want to hear what you are saying. You could also hold a child’s hands so they know it’s them that you are talking to. You could adapt the surroundings, like taking a parent or child into an office to talk to them. If an adult is angry and is not listening to what you are saying, you could also let them have their say first so that once they have voiced their opinion they will be ready to hear what you have to say. Hearing impairment and speech impediments Using sign language and speaking clearly helps us to communicate with hearing impaired people, they can understand what we are saying through lip reading and the sign language will help emphasis that. If people have speech impediments it is important to allow them plenty of time to speak, rushing them can make them nervous and make the impediment worse or stop them from communicating at all. Using flash cards is also another way of communicating, with children and adults that have hearing and speech problems. (see attachment) Behavioural problems and learning difficulties If a person you are communicating with has behavioural problems or learning difficulties it is important that you are patient with them. Using simple language with people with learning difficulties help them to understand what you are saying. By identifying the problem then trying to understand it, you can find ways in which to adapt your approach to a way that they will understand you. If a child is hyperactive, trying to get them to sit down and hold a conversation will be difficult, but doing it through play is a way to hold their concentration. English not being the first language (ESOL) Using simple vocabulary will improve understanding and using body language and hand gestures help by emphasis what is being said. A good way of communicating with parents/carers that don’t use English as a first language is by compiling a multilingual newsletter, where you can put across any information and not have miscommunication. You can also set up a buddy system with adults or children, where there maybe another child who is bilingual that can help translate. Shy or timid people Interacting with adults and children on a one on one basis helps to communicate with introvert people. With adults this could be in the form of a meeting, and with children this can be through play. Circle time is another way of helping shy children talk, asking individuals questions or singing songs. Not getting on with colleagues or dealing with two faced people Holding staff meetings with a unbiased coordinator gives staff a chance to air their grievances and find a possible resolution to them. Team building exercises can also help people get along, through play with children to colleagues being put on a project together. With children you can also reinforce club rules, and with colleagues you can reinforce policies. You can also used role play and read stories, giving children a different view on what they are doing wrong and see how treating their peers bad affects them.   Not making time or effort to communicate Arranging meetings with staff or parents/carers will give enough notice for them to make time for a meeting. With children you can use circle time as an opportunity to have class discussions.

What Is a Hero?

â€Å"How would we tell a hero story today? What would be the setting, what would the enemy be, and what values would the hero embody? † Heroes are a rare, but neccessary type of person. In reality, and our modern society, heroes are not out slaying dragons, or conquering an evil sorcerer. Heroes come in many shapes and forms, and what's capsulated within is the true power of a hero. The mainstream, and fictional heroes are held to a standard of an externally admirable image. Hercules, Zeus, Odysseus, Beowulf, and to a lesser extent, Professional WWE wrestlers along many others are all seen as masculine men who look as if their muscles are unobtainable by their large audience of observers. Take Martin Luther King Jr. for example, a man who inspired an entire race to break the crippling chains of oppresion. This was not a man of tenacious appearance, but when he spoke the world listened, and his words were stained in history. A true display of heroism was shown on September 11th, 2001 in New York City. After two airplanes collided with the Twin Towers, many people were left trapt inside of the buildings with smoke filling their lungs and fire searing their skin. Heroes, such as firefighters and police officiers, quickly reacted and put themselves on the line to save others. Selflessness opitomizes heroism in this instance. These modern day heros, fire fighters, police officiers and even civilians, sacrificed their lives to save another individual which in most cases were complete strangers demonstrated the true beauty of humanity. The enemy, known as Al' Qeada was the group who carried out this attack. Al Qeada is a network of Islamic terrorists operatives who were created to scare society. Most believe that the attacks were brought about because of their hatred for America. The kamikazee suicide bombers perceived themselves as heroes due to their act of selflessness, but a hero does not harm those who are innocent, those who have families, and those who are relied upon by others for love and support. The enemy was not rational about their decision to pestilate fellow human beings who were not involved with the so thought indescretions America had placed on their country. We cannot control the actions of other people, but in times of chaos we can come together and be heroes. Anyone who breathes air on Earth has the potentional to be a hero. It is not an issue of appearance, not an issue of race nor an issue of nationality. Heroism completely depends on bravery, pride, love, and selflessness, which all people are capable of presenting. A channel affect is created when a hero is seen. A hero inspires others to pick up on their traits, and if you have the traits of a hero, you are sure to be idolized.

Succubus Revealed Chapter 14

Seth shot up from the chair, face filled with hurt and fury. It was surreal. For a moment, he looked like a stranger . . . and yet, he also looked like everyone I'd ever known. Everyone I'd loved. Everyone I'd hurt. â€Å"You,† he exclaimed, striding toward me. â€Å"How could you do that to me? How could you do that to me?† I had never heard Seth yell like that. I cringed against my chair, too stunned to react. Meanwhile, Hugh seemed to come to life. He had been as shocked by Seth's initial reaction as me, particularly since Hugh understood even less than I did about what was going on. He was still undoubtedly confused, but some instinct spurred him to action when he saw Seth advance. I didn't think Seth would've hurt me, but he was kind of scary just then. Hugh grabbed a hold of Seth's arm. â€Å"Whoa, whoa,† said Hugh. â€Å"Easy there. Everyone calm down.† Roman likewise seemed to suddenly realize something was wrong here. He'd been so excited by the developments, his face aglow as all his theories fell into place. Now events were moving in a direction he hadn't foreseen. He rose, mirroring Hugh's fighter's stance. Only, Roman was doing it defensively, coming to stand in front of me, in case Seth broke Hugh's hold. That didn't seem very likely. The imp was strong. â€Å"How could you do that to me?† repeated Seth, voice still roaring with fury. â€Å"I trusted you! I trusted you and I loved you!† I had witnessed all of this unfolding but hadn't dared allow myself to really and truly accept it. I had seen the impossible. I had seen Seth relive the lives of men he hadn't known – men he couldn't have known – walking back through the centuries of my long existence. Some voice inside of me kept saying, No, no, this isn't happening. This can't be real. It's some trick of Hell's. I was working hard not to process what I'd heard because processing it meant accepting it. But with those last words, Seth penetrated something inside of my numb self. He broke through, and I snapped. â€Å"I didn't! I didn't do anything to you!† I cried. I had to peer around Roman to meet Seth's eyes and almost wished I hadn't. They were cold. So terribly cold and hurt. â€Å"You cheated on me,† said Seth, straining against Hugh. â€Å"Cheated on me with my best friend. . . .† Yet, even as he spoke, I could see him falter. The feelings he'd felt as Kyriakos were real, but he was examining it now as Seth Mortensen. The mixed realities were confusing him. It was understandable. They confused me. â€Å"Seth,† I said desperately. â€Å"I didn't do that to you. Think about it. I love you. I love you so much.† Seth stopped struggling, though Hugh didn't relinquish his grip. Seth's features were still filled with hurt and confusion. â€Å"Not to me . . . to him. But I am him. I'm all of them.† Seth closed his eyes and took a deep breath. What had been reasonable and clear under hypnosis was becoming more difficult to grasp. â€Å"How? How is that possible?† â€Å"Past lives,† said Roman. â€Å"You're right. You were all of them. You lived all of those lives, long before you were born into this one.† â€Å"Reincarnation? That . . . that's impossible,† said Seth. â€Å"Is it?† asked Roman, regaining some of his confidence now that the situation was no longer escalating. â€Å"How do you know? Do you have a direct line into the way the universe works?† â€Å"So, wait . . . what about you guys?† asked Seth. â€Å"Are Heaven and Hell not real?† â€Å"Oh,† said Hugh wryly, â€Å"they're real.† â€Å"All of it is real,† said Roman. â€Å"And vastly more complex than any faulty human system can understand.† He turned to me, expression softening. I must have looked terrified. â€Å"What Seth saw . . . what he lived through. You knew all of them, didn't you? All of those identities?† I focused on Roman, afraid I'd lose my nerve if I looked at Seth again. I nodded. â€Å"Yes . . . they were all people . . . all men I knew in my life.† Hugh frowned. â€Å"How is that possible? I can get on board with reincarnation. I've seen enough to believe it can happen. But him always being reborn around you? You running into him – what was it, ten times? That's statistically impossible.† â€Å"The things we're dealing with aren't really governed by statistics and probability,† said Roman. â€Å"There are other forces at work here, forces that guide his rebirth. It was part of his contract, the deal you made as Kyriakos. What can you tell us about it?† â€Å"I don't know what you're talking about. . . . I don't remember . . . I . . .† Seth shook his head, the anger returning. â€Å"I don't want to talk about this anymore. Let me go. I need to get out of here. I need to get away from her!† â€Å"Seth . . .† I said. â€Å"But you're the key!† exclaimed Roman. â€Å"The key to unlocking Georgina's problems. You're the other contract, the one Erik was talking about. You're tied to her, tied to everything that's been going on with her.† â€Å"I don't care,† said Seth. He seemed to just barely be able to keep his emotions in check. â€Å"I don't care about your various and sundry plots! Do you have any idea what I just saw? What I just went through? I'm still not even sure I understand any of it! I don't understand who I am! All I know is her – and what she did to me.† â€Å"Seth,† I tried again. Or should I address him as Kyriakos? I didn't know. â€Å"Please . . . I love you. I've always loved you. What happened . . . it was . . . it was an accident. . . .† The look Seth gave me was dark and wary. â€Å"It sure didn't seem like an accident when I walked in on you.† â€Å"I never meant to . . .† â€Å"To rip my heart out?† he cried. â€Å"To destroy my world? My life?† â€Å"Roman,† said Hugh carefully. â€Å"Maybe we should give him some time to process this.† â€Å"We don't have time,† said Roman. â€Å"Hell can move fast – especially if they find out what we know. If we're going to save Georgina – â€Å" â€Å"I don't care!† said Seth again, this time with more vehemence. â€Å"I don't care what happens to any of you, and I certainly don't care about what happens to her. It's probably less than she deserves.† â€Å"She didn't do anything to you,† said Roman. â€Å"She's been a pretty solid girlfriend, from what I've seen.† â€Å"Seth,† I pleaded, knowing Roman wasn't quite getting it yet. â€Å"I . . . I'm sorry. It was a long time ago.† My words were terribly, terribly inadequate, but Seth was tapping into things I'd forced myself to block out – because they were too painful. â€Å"For you, maybe,† said Seth. â€Å"It happened over the course of centuries. One life for you. But for me . . . whatever you guys did with the hypnosis, it's all here now. All of those lives . . . those memories. Here in my head at the same time. It didn't happen ‘a long time ago' for me. It's like it just happened yesterday! All those feelings, all that pain . . .† â€Å"It'll fade,† said Hugh, not sounding as though he was certain. â€Å"What you regressed through is still fresh, and you weren't brought out of the trance properly. Give it time. Or . . . if you want, I can put you back under and make you forget this.† â€Å"And forget her?† demanded Seth. â€Å"So I can forget what a faithless, conniving bitch she's been to me?† â€Å"Seth . . .† I could feel tears forming in my eyes. â€Å"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. If I could take it back, I would.† â€Å"Which part?† he asked. â€Å"The part where you proved our marriage meant nothing to you? Or the countless other times you lied to me and broke my heart? Do you have any idea how I feel? What it feels like to be experiencing all of that at the same time? Maybe you've moved past it all and don't care anymore, but it's real for me!† â€Å"It is for me too. I . . . I love you.† They were the only words I managed to get out, and they still weren't enough. Where was all my usual glib charm? My ability to talk my way out of anything? I was still too choked up on my emotions, still reeling from the fact that looking into Seth's eyes meant looking into the eyes of every man I'd ever loved. I wanted to convince him how sorry I was and explain that having a long life hadn't dulled the feelings inside me. If anything, it had only provided more time for those feelings to sink in and punish me. I wanted to explain to him how I'd felt during that first transgression and how it had been a poor reaction to feelings I didn't know how to process as a scared young woman. I wanted to explain that most of my actions since then, especially the times I'd pushed away other lovers, had been weak attempts at protecting them. There was so much I wanted to say, but I just didn't have the words – or courage – to get any of it out. So, I remained silent, and the tears spilled out of my eyes. Seth took a deep breath, forcing. â€Å"Let me go, Hugh. I won't hurt her. I don't want anything to do with her. I just want to go home. I need to get out of here.† â€Å"Don't,† said Roman. â€Å"We need him. We need more answers, so that we can understand the contracts.† â€Å"Hugh, let him go.† I barely recognized the voice as my own. Roman looked at me incredulously. â€Å"We need him,† he repeated. â€Å"He's done enough,† I said flatly. In my head, Seth's words echoed: I don't want anything to do with her. â€Å"We've done enough to him.† When nobody reacted, I met Hugh's gaze squarely. â€Å"Do it. Let him go.† Hugh glanced between Roman and me and then made a decision. Still keeping hold of Seth's arm, Hugh steered him away from us and walked him to the door. Roman made more protests and took a few steps toward them, but I remained frozen where I was. I didn't look behind me, not even when I heard the door slam. Hugh returned, and Roman slumped back into his chair, sighing with frustration. â€Å"Well,† he said. â€Å"Once he calms down, we'll get him back and talk things out.† â€Å"I don't think he's going to calm down,† I said, staring off at nothing. I don't want anything to do with her. â€Å"He's just in shock,† said Roman. I didn't answer. Roman didn't know. Roman didn't understand the full scope of our history together. He hadn't seen Kyriakos's face after my betrayal, the grief that had been so deep it had nearly driven him to suicide. That was part of why I'd become a succubus, using my soul to purchase peace for him in the form of forgetfulness. It was the only way to save him. But if he remembered everything now, if he really was Kyriakos reborn . . . then, no. He wasn't â€Å"just in shock.† I had done a terrible, terrible thing to him, and his outrage wasn't unfounded. A shiver ran through me as I thought about the instant connection I'd had with Seth, the feeling like I'd always known him. It was because I had always known him. Life after life. I'd always felt like we were bound into something greater than ourselves . . . and we were. Something great and terrible. Hugh dragged up a chair and sat across from me. He caught hold of one of my hands. â€Å"Sweetie, I swear to you, I had no clue any of that would happen.† I gave him a halfhearted squeeze back. â€Å"What . . . what did you think would happen?† Hugh glanced at Roman. â€Å"He asked me if I could hypnotize Seth and attempt some past life regression. I had no idea what it was for. Fuck, I had no idea it would really work, let alone walk us through nine emotionally damaged lives. Ten, since we now seemed to have fucked up this one.† I felt hollow inside, hollow and aching. I turned to Roman, astonished I could manage any sort of reasonable discussion when my world had just been destroyed. â€Å"How did you know it would happen? How did you figure all of this out?† â€Å"I only figured some of it out,† said Roman. â€Å"It was actually your stupid Santa stuff that tipped me off. About how that guy was worried about Santa being in two places at once?† He scoffed and raked a hand through his hair. â€Å"I started thinking about how everyone says your contract is fine and how Erik had mentioned a second contract. We'd already deduced Hell wanted you and Seth apart, but why? And I thought, what if it's like the Santa thing? There's nothing wrong with your contract or Seth's in and of themselves, but together, something goes wrong.† â€Å"How did you even know Seth had a contract?† asked Hugh. â€Å"Well, that's the thing. I didn't. And since Seth had never mentioned it before, it seemed he didn't know he had one either. And how could that be? I started thinking maybe it was because he hadn't made the contract in this life. I thought maybe Hell had a long game going on with him across lives, and hence . . . the hypnosis.† â€Å"Jesus Christ,† said Hugh, shaking his head. â€Å"You made a fuckload of deductions there.† â€Å"And they were right,† said Roman. â€Å"Georgina and Seth both have contracts with Hell. And those contracts don't work together.† â€Å"Why not?† I asked. That zealous gleam was back in Roman's eye. â€Å"What were we able to deduce about Seth's contract? What did he get?† The only thing I'd deduced was that Seth was never going to speak to me again. When I refused to answer, Hugh obligingly played student to Roman's teacher. â€Å"He got ten lives instead of one. The gift of reincarnation.† â€Å"Why?† asked Roman. â€Å"To find Georgina,† said Hugh. He paused, and I guessed he was replaying what Seth had described. â€Å"It sounds like he died in that first life, and when the time came for his soul to move on, he was aware of missing her. I'm guessing Hell wouldn't have gotten his soul then, so they made the deal to give him nine more chances to find Georgina and be reunited with her.† â€Å"He did find me,† I said flatly. â€Å"Over and over.† Betrayal after betrayal. â€Å"Yes,† said Roman. â€Å"And you were drawn to him without even realizing it. He certainly seemed to fit your dreamy artistic type each time. But you never made it work out.† â€Å"Which Hell was probably hoping for,† said Hugh. The imp in him was coming out, puzzling over how a contract like this would have been designed. â€Å"Hell has to be fair, but they always want an advantage. So, they probably went into the deal thinking a guy hoping to make amends with his soul mate could never do it if she was a succubus. Seth – or whoever – certainly didn't know that. He only knew that he was supposed to have forgotten her.† He thought about it a few moments more. â€Å"There's nothing wrong with that, though. That's hedging your bets on a contract. There's no violation.† â€Å"You're right,† said Roman. â€Å"And that's not the problem.† He focused back on me. â€Å"What was your deal? What was your contract for becoming a succubus?† â€Å"You already know it,† I said wearily. I was tired of the scheming and fallout. I want to crawl off, curl up in my bed, and sleep for the next five centuries. I wanted to renegotiate my contract and have my memory and heart purged of all pain. â€Å"Humor me,† he said. â€Å"Just tell me the basics again. The deal Niphon made with you.† â€Å"Roman, leave her alone,† said Hugh. I waved him off. â€Å"Fine. I sold my soul and became a succubus in exchange for everyone I knew as a mortal forgetting about me.† Roman looked so supremely satisfied and triumphant that I wanted to punch him just then. He nodded to Hugh. â€Å"And tell me Seth's again, to the best of your guessing.† â€Å"At a guess? He gets to live ten lives, all of which will put him near her, giving him the chance to find her and make amends with her. Hell gets his soul at the end of the tenth life.† â€Å"And why did Seth make the deal?† prompted Roman, practically trembling with excitement. â€Å"Because he remembered that – † Hugh cut himself off, eyes widening. â€Å"Exactly,† said Roman. He shook me in his excitement when I didn't react right away. â€Å"Don't you get it? Your contracts contradict each other! In fact, Seth's should never have even been written! He remembered you. He knew that you were gone from his life.† â€Å"He knew his ‘soul mate' was gone,† I said bitterly. â€Å"I don't think he remembered specifics. You saw how much trouble he had.† Roman shook his head. â€Å"Doesn't matter. I'm guessing your contract specifies forgetting you entirely. He remembered. By that happening, Hell violated your contract. Then, they wrote an impossible contract for him, claiming he'd have the chance to reunite with you – which again, implies a degree of remembering you.† â€Å"We don't know that exactly,† warned Hugh. â€Å"We haven't seen the contract and didn't get all the details from him. I couldn't follow if he got anything for patching things up with her or not.† â€Å"We know enough,† said Roman. â€Å"Seth wanted to be reunited with her and make amends. For that to happen, it would contradict Georgina's contract – specifying he forget her.† â€Å"I'd want to see the wording,† said Hugh. â€Å"I'm not trying to dash your hopes. I just know how these things work.† â€Å"Fair enough,† said Roman. â€Å"But can you deny that when Seth called her ‘Letha' last month, that was most definitely in violation of her contract? He remembered. Not consciously. But some part of him, deep inside, remembered her.† My thoughts were still moving sluggishly, but something clicked into place. â€Å"The transfer . . . the transfer came through the morning after I told Jerome about Seth calling me Letha.† â€Å"Yes,† said Roman. â€Å"That's why things were mucked up with it. I guarantee my dear father has always known about your contracts and has accepted them grudgingly, especially if Seth's contract allows for you two to keep running into each other. But, when you told the gang about the name, Jerome had a serious problem. He recognized the violation and tattled to his superiors as fast as he could, making them panic and act quickly – too quickly – to get you out of here.† â€Å"But . . . it already happened. Seth remembered. The violation took place,† I said, scarcely able to believe it. â€Å"It's like a tree in the woods,† remarked Hugh. â€Å"It only happens if they're called on it. Neither you nor Seth would have known about the contracts or any violation. You were oblivious. Jerome needed to keep it that way, get you guys apart and kill any chance of you figuring out what had happened.† â€Å"Hence the Vegas dream job,† said Roman. â€Å"It's like we talked about before. Forbidding you guys to be together would've drawn too much attention. A run-of-the-mill transfer, however, would've seemed like business as usual – if not for the screwup. Hell was so anxious to get it going that they sent you the memo before Jerome had a chance to meet with you. I guarantee everything you saw in Vegas was thrown together on a day's notice.† I drew my hand back from Hugh's and buried my face in my palm. â€Å"Oh God.† Roman patted my shoulder in a way that was probably supposed to be comforting but mostly made me grit my teeth. â€Å"God's not the one you've got to look to right now. Do you realize what you've got here, Georgina? A once in a millennium opportunity to thwart Hell! You can challenge them, call your contract into dispute. And Seth's. All you need to do is talk to him, get the exact details of – â€Å" I jumped up from my chair, finally giving way to all my own grief and fury. â€Å"No! Didn't you see his face? Didn't you hear him? He won't talk to me! Not now, not ever. And don't say he's just in shock again,† I warned, seeing Roman about to speak. â€Å"You don't know what I did, what it was like for him . . . back then. There's a reason I made him forget! He's not going to forgive me for this. Never. He didn't then and isn't going to now. Oh Lord. Why did we have to do this? Why did we have to make him remember? We should've just let him forget. . . . Everything was fine. . . .† My frantic pacing led me over to the living room window, where I drew back the curtains. It was late in the day now, the sunset turning the clouds orange. â€Å"Fine?† asked Roman, coming to stand beside me. â€Å"Hell was creating elaborate ploys to separate you and cover their asses! And they were killing his sister-in-law to do it. That is not fine. You and Seth have done nothing but play into Hell's hands all these centuries. Over and over, you find each other and lose each other, you bicker and fight, throw it all away on mistrust and lack of communication. Are you going to let that continue? Especially when they didn't even give you what you were promised?† I rested my cheek against the glass, taking comfort in the coolness, refusing to listen to Roman's logic. â€Å"But Seth didn't remember until we made him.† â€Å"Not true. He remembered before that,† said Roman. â€Å"On his own, when he called you Letha. That's how this all started. Nothing we did here changed that.† â€Å"He hates me,† I said, fully aware of how whiny I sounded. Roman didn't try to deny it. â€Å"People forgive.† I scoffed. â€Å"Do they?† â€Å"They do,† said Hugh, coming to stand on my other side. â€Å"Seth must have – or whomever he used to be. Your husband. Why else would he have made that bargain in the first place to find you?† â€Å"Because he didn't remember what I'd done,† I said. I met Hugh's eyes. â€Å"He only knew that I was missing from his life.† â€Å"You answered your own question, sweetie. His love for you was stronger than his hate, if he was able to remember the one and not the other.† I wanted to argue with that but didn't know how. â€Å"I can't . . . I can't face him. You don't know what this is like. It's . . .† My lifelong fear? My greatest sin? â€Å"I just can't.† â€Å"We need to know about the rest of his contract,† said Roman. â€Å"We need all the details if we're going to see this through.† Hugh sniffed. â€Å"You keep saying ‘we,' but somehow I don't see you being the one filing the paperwork with Hell to challenge her contract.† When Roman didn't answer, Hugh added, â€Å"Which, by my estimate, we don't need any more of Seth's information for. We already have enough to question her contract's integrity.† â€Å"Question its integrity?† exclaimed Roman. â€Å"We have enough evidence to blow it wide open.† There was that metaphor again. Roman loved the dramatic. â€Å"Hell failed to hold up their end of the bargain. They told you they'd make everyone forget. Obviously, they didn't.† â€Å"It may not be quite that simple. Hell will question what you call evidence,† said Hugh. â€Å"But it can be done, right?† asked Roman. â€Å"You know how to do it – to file the necessary paperwork?† â€Å"Well, I've never done it before,† said Hugh. â€Å"Jesus. I don't know anyone who's done it.† I dragged my gaze from the window. â€Å"Don't,† I told Hugh. â€Å"It's not worth it. You don't know anyone who's done it because no imp who values his job or his life would ever try to get a contract revoked. I don't want you doing that for me.† â€Å"Hugh,† said Roman, looking over me like I wasn't even there. â€Å"You could free her. You could get her soul back for her. You could end this life she has – sleeping with strangers for eternity.† â€Å"Stop it,† I snapped. â€Å"Stop trying to guilt him into it. I made this choice. No one tricked me into being a succubus. They told me what it entailed and what I'd get.† â€Å"And you didn't get it,† said Hugh quietly. â€Å"It doesn't matter,† I said. If I didn't have Seth, one form of Hell was as bad as another. â€Å"I would do it for you,† said Hugh. â€Å"I'll file the paperwork. Maybe you knew what you were getting into, but that doesn't mean you don't have the right to change your mind – especially if you were played. If you want it, I'll help you do it.† â€Å"Why?† I asked, recalling all the times Hugh had become uneasy whenever we'd talked of challenging the status quo. â€Å"Why would you risk it?† â€Å"Because you're my friend,† Hugh said, his lips twisting into a bitter half smile. â€Å"And that still means something to me. Besides, give your pal Hugh some credit here. I might be able to pull this off with minimal punishment for myself.† A strange feeling welled within my chest, tight at first and then loosening. This day had become one impossible thing after another. Somehow, hearing Hugh say it made it more real. I was so used to Roman's ideas and dreams for undermining Hell that at times, it was easy to ignore them. But to hear Hugh saying this might actually work . . . I swallowed, feeling more tears were on the way. â€Å"I can't even imagine that. A world where I don't belong to Hell. I don't know what my life would look like.† â€Å"Like anything you want it to,† said Hugh, wrapping me in a hug. Behind me, I heard Roman sigh. â€Å"Well. I'll settle for one contract blowing up in Hell's face. I mean, Seth was already Hell-bound anyways, wasn't he? With or without any of this?† I winced. It was true. Seth's soul – once so bright and shining – had darkened when he cheated on Maddie with me. He'd come to my bed out of love but had still felt guilty over what he'd done. The mark of sin had tainted his soul enough that were he to die right now, Seth would go to Hell. Hugh cleared his throat and let go of me, suddenly looking uncomfortable. â€Å"It's funny you mention that. . . .† â€Å"Why?† I asked. â€Å"I hadn't seen him in a while and nearly didn't notice . . . but today when he was here, his soul . . .† Hugh shook his head. â€Å"I don't know what all he's done, but it's lightened. It's not the spotlight it used to be, but something's changed. Enough of the taint's gone now that I don't think he's marked for Hell anymore.† â€Å"Except, he is because of his contract,† I realized. â€Å"That was the price for all those lives. It doesn't matter how good he is.† I felt my legs grow weak again and had to struggle to stay up. Seth had redeemed himself for his sin. How? Probably through the sacrifices he'd made for his family. He'd given up the things he loved most for them – writing, even me. It was a remarkable feat, something few humans were able to rebound from. Usually, those who were damned stayed damned. But it didn't matter. Seth's soul could shine like a supernova and he would still go to Hell, because it was the same soul he'd had as Kyriakos, the one that had made the bargain to come and find me. â€Å"We don't know for sure,† I said. â€Å"He didn't make it clear if he definitely signed his soul over or if there was a wager, like he'd get to keep it if he made amends with me.† â€Å"Which doesn't really seem like it's going to happen at the moment,† said Roman. â€Å"So either way, he's damned.† â€Å"Unless we can break his contract too,† I said. â€Å"And we need his help for it.† Hugh gave me a sympathetic look. â€Å"Do you want me to try to talk to him?† I had hated myself for what I'd done to Kyriakos all those years ago, hated myself so much that I'd paid the ultimate price to be wiped from his memory. And after seeing the look in Seth's eyes earlier . . . well, honestly, if given the chance, I might very well have asked to be erased again. I couldn't stand seeing that hate, that disappointment in the eyes of someone I'd loved. I'd hurt him. I'd let him down. I wanted to hide and never see him again because if I faced him, I would have to face the failings within myself. That had always been a problem for me, I realized. I hated confrontation – especially when I was the one at fault. I'd continually run away from that my entire life. I forced a weak smile for Hugh, who stood there offering me a cowardly way out. No, I decided. If we were going to get Seth's help, it would be better coming from me. Would he talk to me? I didn't know, but I had to try. For nothing else would I have risked facing that hate and sorrow again . . . but for Seth's soul, I would. â€Å"I'll go to him,† I said.

Soccer Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Soccer - Essay Example One way or another you have to be totally involved to watch the game and live with it. It is a matter of fact that at least 80 percent of fans are good players. Many people consider simplicity to be the fundamental of soccer popularity, even if you see the game for the very first time you can figure out this game’s manner. But alongside with its simplicity, soccer is a game of great skill and strategy. If we take a look at the crowd, watching the game at the stadium, we would admit that regardless of the age, race or religion they become equal, wearing their teams replica’s shirts or scarves, chanting and supporting their team. The object of the game of soccer is to move the ball across the field and to drive a ball right into an opposing team’s goal and to score a point as a result. There are eleven players in each team playing on a rectangular field and apparently the team that scores the most points is a winner. It is almost impossible to list every existing aspect of the game and each country where soccer is played. Soccer has its interpretation of game culture, own kinesics as a body language of communication between the team players. As the game of contradictions soccer implies development of skill and endurance. You will hardly ever be able to play the ball and perform difficult techniques without training to do so. There are many characteristics a player should gain in order to succeed. Training of strength and endurance is essential feature. Soccer is a game of confidence, reaction and rhythm, thus developing speed, power and agility is important. You have to be flexible in order to warm up or cool down when the situation requires. Soccer game requires proper equipment to increase player’s effectiveness and safety. Shoes with spikes on the bottom are special feature that increases ability to stay on player’s feet and provide a better traction on grass. Socks are very long and sometimes a player has to buy them on his own but

Juvenile Justice Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 1

Juvenile Justice - Essay Example According to a report from the National Institute of Justice, â€Å"Research indicates that a relatively small group of serious juvenile offenders who are also serious drug users account for a disproportionate amount of all serious crimes committed by juveniles.† (Vanderwaal, et al. 1) This report shows that serious juvenile drug abusers are at a subsequently higher risk for the eventual commission of serious crimes. The fourth group of juvenile alcohol and drug users is the hard core user who is unable to function within society, and may present a much higher threat to society and themselves as a direct result. While the fourth group is extreme and may seem to be more severe type it would likely be the third group that would present the largest threat to society and the user themselves. The third grouping spends time and money that they may need to steal to obtain the drugs and is still able to function to a degree within society. By virtue of ability to function and extreme desire for the substances of choice this user would likely represent the greatest threat. Reference page: Vanderwaal, et al.,. "Breaking the Juvenile drug-crime cycle, a guide for practitioners and policymakers." National Institute of Justice (2001): 1. Web. 23 Apr 2011. http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/186156.pdf

The Time between Death and the Discovery of the Corpse Assignment

The Time between Death and the Discovery of the Corpse - Assignment Example This highlighted the aim of the study to show the importance of considering the effects of larval crowding that could cause PMI errors during casework. It was found out that increased larval crowding resulted in faster development of C. vomitoria and the size of C. vomitoria that could cause overestimation and underestimation of PMI respectively if not accounted for during casework. The major limitation of this research is that the study only explored development during larval stages. This means that further investigations are needed before making direct comparisons with the results. Moreover, comparison with other studies was difficult because the muscle used in each experiment had a different origin and was likely to cause variation in the results. The consideration of space available to larvae within a culture affects competitive interactions would be required. The research had several strengths while conducting the research. The researchers ensured that food was always in excess so that competitive effects could be ruled out. They also reared the cultures in different pig tissue enabling them to determine the development rate at different larval densities in cultures reared in the brain, liver, and muscle while keeping the experimental conditions identical. The effects of larval crowding at three intervals on each of the three tissues were observed for the greatest changes in body tissues. It was found out that the brain was the least nourishing and due to lower protein levels and higher water content, there was rapid consumption compared to the other tissues. In conclusion, the research was justified because it effectively gave light to how overcrowding during larval stages of development resulted in a competitive feeding environment, therefore, affecting size, development rate, and survival.  

Research Proposal on 'Development Aid and Governance' Essay

Research Proposal on 'Development Aid and Governance' - Essay Example Bibliography Background/Problem Statement The effectiveness or lack of aid has been a rather recurring issue/terminology in the glossary of the development aid industry in recent times. Contrastingly, two decades ago, development donors or aid donors would not hesitate to provide funding to governments and organisations for developmental purposes (De Haan, 2009). Among those who benefitted during this past period of improved donor and aid activities were third world and developing countries in regions such as Africa and Asia in which countries such as Zaire under Mobutu and Philippines under Marcos benefitted. With this level of funding, these beneficiary regimes started to mismanage these aids to hitherto unseen corruption levels. These high levels of bad governance and corruption have made donors such as financial institutions and industrial powers to refrain from funding development projects in excessively corrupt governments, countries, and groups (De Haan, 2009). Aid donors have since recognized and established that giving aids to governments with ineffective policies is a practice that is rather wasteful. Instead, more efforts and emphasis have been directed at countries and regions with sound domestic reform policies. Nonetheless, donors’ narrow political objectives still feature in most of the aid decisions in the contemporary society. There is, thus, the need for the official donor aid community to commit to the improvement of aid effectiveness by establishing more proficient and standardized coordination mechanisms. Fortunately, some forums such as the Aid Effectiveness High Level Forum (HLF) in Rome in 2003 and the Paris Declaration in the second HLF in 2005 were moves in the right direction for aid governance. Although these forums focused on donor coordination and harmonisation, the issues of governance, public management, and corruption also featured prominently during the deliberations (Stokke, 2009). In regard to aid management, the suppl y side featured prominently in relation to public finance management and country procurement systems. It was not only corruption, which was mentioned as a problem, but commitments were also made on transparency and accountability by both donors and recipients. Poor governance, corruption, and bad public management of finance and procurement are thus among the major challenges that the aid industry has encountered for quite some time and mechanisms and strategies to counter their influence are in order (Lancaster, 2006). Research Objectives This research, therefore, sets forth several objectives, including the need to address the rampant corruption and mismanagement that hamper the successful implementation and realization of donor aid projects. The research seeks solution to the derailing progress in realising mutual accountability by both donors and recipients in aid-project implementation. Addressing the issue of commitment by donors and recipients in the aid effectiveness agenda is the other objective of this research. An improvement on the wanting coordination capacity of recipient governments is the other objective of this research. Moreover, this research also seeks to emphasize the central role that commitment on transparency, in conjunction with sound governance and anticorruption, plays in the aid industry. Finally, this research aims at highlighting the effects of the failure by stakeholders to address the developmental aid problems associated with bad governance and corruption on aid management.

On Commercial Photography's Impact on Modern Visual Culture Essay

On Commercial Photography's Impact on Modern Visual Culture - Essay Example The cultural influence which has altered the way in which photography is viewed the most is the commercial photographs. There are also public photographs which have intertwined with various ideologies for different level of influence. However, the movements within photography intertwine together to take a specific approach to creating and capturing the perfect image for a given subject matter. Impact of Different Types of Photography The impact of commercial photography is one which has grown since the early 1900s, specifically with the focus from corporations. The first concept of the photography which was used was based on the corporate image and the approaches which were required for those working in this specific field. The corporations were known for having difficult work pressures, specifically with the growth of the industrial age. Work stations, factory style lines in the various places and the need to reproduce mass amounts continued to be a main component with the corporati ons. To alter this, photography and advertisements were added into the mix, specifically which was able to present a different image to the consumer and change the focus of the internal environment. The image presented was then one which was based on value of the product as well as the overall environment of the corporation (Brown, 2008). The initial impact of commercial photography then led to the idealization of cultural production. The images which were taken became significant in creating a sense of identity of the product, image of the corporation and the response which was associated with society. The concept of cultural production was based on the outlets which were presented with the photography as well as how this was associated with the idealization of individuals. Fashion, food, sports items, cars and other high – end products used commercial photography to create a sense of identity in culture. From this, many began to respond with imitating the photography and be ing a part of the cultural production. The photography then not only painted an image about a specific corporation, but also related to and communicated with groups in society which may have been interested in the brand product (Frosh, 2001). The second concept associated with photography is the public photograph. This particular image is one which is similar to the commercial image, specifically because it captures groups, individuals and different components which make up society. Usually, the images are associated with making a statement about what is occurring within the public and is based on creating a level of accountability or recognition through the picture. The impact of this is based on the needed communication for a given situation while bringing awareness to the public arena. When the photographs are displayed, an individual is able to see the reality of the situation and becomes engaged with the public issues. Within this particular photograph, there is the ability to create an icon with a specific aspect of society. The importance of this comes from creating public judgment while responding to situations based on the level of communication that is a part of society (Hariman, Lucaites, 2003). The concept of public photography is important in terms of creating a set of private images that would be seen in a given segment of society and making them into a public spectatorship. The impact which this has is based on the sociological response which is created from the image and

Apple Being Engaged in Design Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Apple Being Engaged in Design - Essay Example †¢ Is world renowned for its pioneering efforts in personal electronic communications devices and systems Apple or "the company" is engaged in design, development and marketing of personal computers, media devices, and portable digital music players. The company also sells a variety of related software, services, peripherals, networking solutions, and third-party digital content and applications. The company's portfolio of offerings comprises Macintosh (Mac) computing systems, iPods line of portable digital music and video players, iPhone handsets and iPad portable multimedia and computing devices. The company primarily operates in the US. It is headquartered in Cupertino, California and employs 46,600 employees. (Datamonitor 2011) Slide 3 Industry Analysis Macro-environment Analysis †¢ Political issues o Stigma of big business (SEC scandal) o Tighter policies imposed by gov’t o Different policies by different gov’ts †¢ Economic issues o Global economic crisis o Strong emerging economies Slide 4 Industry Analysis Macro-environment Analysis †¢ Social issues o Growth of social networking o Connectivity push by many countries †¢ Technological issues o International Protection of IPR o Continuous R&D Slide 5 Industry Analysis Macro-environment Analysis †¢ Legal issues o Pursuit of litigation for IPR globally o Dangers of faulty product design †¢ Environmental issues ... Fujitsu, Samsung Electronics, Sony and Toshiba, among others.The company is currently focused on market opportunities related to mobile communication devices including the iPhone.The mobile communications industry is highly competitive with several large, well-funded and experienced competitors. The launch of iPhone spiked the demand for smartphone with touch functionality and other innovative features. This made several players in the mobile phone market, such as Nokia, HTC, RIM, Palm, Samsung and LG Electronics, launch their respective smartphone devices in the market creating significant competition. Unique vision (primarily by Steve Jobs) Apple has been usually viewed along with its charismatic and visionary founder, Mr. Jobs who has always been instrumental in managing the growth of the company and leading it to its current size. Network of interrelated support services (i.e., the APP store) bundled with peripherals Mobile apps are one of the most important factors in driving sa les of smartphones. Apple is the strongest player in the mobile apps market, with approximately 350,000 apps. Its closest competitor, the Android market has 250,000 apps, while Blackberry and Windows Phone 7 has 20,000 and 9,000 apps respectively. The mobile app market is expected to exceed $9 billion by 2014. With its innovative products such as iPhone and iPad, Apple is in a position to increase its share in the growing smartphone and tablet market. Strong horizontal and vertical integration ‘Plug-and-play’ solutions Slide 9 SWOT Analysis (Datamonitor, 2011) Strengths Powerful brand image According to industry sources, Apple is the fourth largest player in the global mobile phone market. The company holds a market share of approximately 5% and trails Nokia, Samsung and LG Electronics,

How does having dyslexia impact on further education Essay

How does having dyslexia impact on further education - Essay Example It affects the choice of subjects in further learning. Though it is a major problem impacting on performance, students can be assisted through mentorship and other exercises that improve their language, coordination and organizational skills. Dyslexia is a term that refers to difficulties in learning, which is usually manifest in students while they try to pronounce or spell particular words in the course of learning. These are the major characteristics amongst many other aspects that can help in identifying a student with the problem. Research indicates that the problem is associated with the brain’s capacity to interpret verbal or written language. Students usually experience problems in schools and may not perform well in particular subjects or in all of them (Jamieson and Morgan 2007 p. 78). Intellectually, the dyslexic student is usually competent. Learning is the only situation where they fail to compete effectively with the rest of the students. Dyslexic students usually get upset leading to withdrawal and problems with their behavior, especially due to lack of self esteem and confidence. Their persistent difficulty in learning generates the feeling that they are unable to excel in life. This is because the society highly values the ability to learn, and attaching it to great prospects of a student in future. It can affect even the students whose performance in other activities is good. The problem can persist to adulthood. In the institutions of higher learning, it is usually a major problem since the content of education increases, and this requires high learning capabilities in order to accomplish the objectives of education and career choice (Ammon and Levin 1993 pp. 68-71). The aim of this research is to establish the impact of dyslexia on further education. In the teaching profession, it is important to understand dyslexia in order to develop the ability to identify dyslexic students, and be able to help them overcome

American History Inmigration between 1880 and 1920 Essay

American History Inmigration between 1880 and 1920 - Essay Example Political instability and the spread of diseases in the homelands of the immigrants also forced them to opt for immigration and lead a better life. Other reasons included the lack of employment and chances of progress. The killings and persecution of people on the basis of their religion was also a reason why people left their homelands. There were many countries from where people chose to immigrate to the United States which included people from Italy, Russia, and Poland and to certain extent from China as well. This era of 1880 and 1920 was also a period of industrialization and it was a period of progress for the United States. The immigrants moved to the country and started working in the factories and mills of America. They settled for lower salaries as compared to the nationals. The great influx of immigrants led to the increased crowding in the cities and hence the maintenance of the infrastructure became very difficult. This led to problems like overcrowding accompanied by po or conditions of living for the immigrants. The crime rate also increased due to the rise in these problems. The increase in the number of immigrants created problems for the nationals as well and hence the immigrants became the targets of discrimination.

Colonization of Brazil Essay Example for Free

Colonization of Brazil Essay In 1549, the Captaincy Colonies of Brazil were united into the Governorate General of Brazil, where they were provincial captaincies of Brazil; Luà ­s Teixeira, 1574. Main article: Colonial Brazil Explorer Pedro à lvares Cabral landed on April 22, 1500 in what is today Porto Seguro, Brazil. Permanent habitation did not begin until Sà £o Vicente was founded in 1532, although temporary trading posts were established earlier to collect brazilwood, used as a dye. From 1534 to 1536, 15 Captaincy colonies were created in Portuguese America. The captaincies were autonomous, and mostly private, colonies of the Portuguese Empire, each owned and run by a Captain-major. In 1549, due to their failure and limited success, the Captaincy Colonies of Brazil were united into the Governorate General of Brazil. The captaincy colonies were reorganized as provincial districts to the Governorate. The captaincies continued to be ruled by their hereditary captain-majors but they now reported to the Governor-General of Brazil. The new system was implemented so that Portuguese America could be managed correctly and provide a steady and wealthy income for the Portuguese Empire. The capital of the new governorate established its capital at Sà £o Salvador and the first Jesuits arrived the same year. With permanent settlement came the establishment of the sugar cane industry and its intensive labor demands which were met with Native and later African slaves. From 1565 through 1567, Mem de Sà ¡, the third Governor General of Brazil, successfully destroyed a ten year-old French colony called France Antarctique, at Guanabara Bay. He and his nephew, Està ¡cio de Sà ¡, then founded the city of Rio de Janeiro on March 1567. In 1621, Philip II of Portugal divided the Governorate General of Brazil into two separate and autonomous colonies, the State of Maranhà £o and the State of Brazil. Regarding this period it is preferable to refer to Portuguese America rather than Portuguese Brazil or Colonial Brazil, as the states were two separate colonies, each with their own governor general and government. Between 1630 and 1654, the Netherlands came to control part of Brazils Northeast region, with their capital in Recife. The Portuguese won a significant victory in the Second Battle of Guararapes in 1649. By 1654, the Netherlands had surrendered and returned control of all Brazilian land to the Portuguese. In 1751, the State of Maranhà £o was restructured into State of Grà £o-Parà ¡ and Maranhà £o, with a new capital and government. In 1772, the State of Grà £o-Parà ¡ and Maranhà £o was split into two new states, the State of Grà £o-Parà ¡ and Rio Negro and the State of Maranhà £o and Piauà ­. The new states would fair poorly and only last 3 years. In 1775, the three colonies of Portuguese America (the State of Brazil, the State of Maranhà £o and Piauà ­, and the State of Grà £o-Parà ¡ and Rio Negro) were united into a singular colony, under the State of Brazil. This arrangement would last until the end of Colonial Brazil. As a result, Brazil did not split into several countries, as happened to its Spanish-speaking neighbors.

Puerperal Sepsis: History, Causes and Interventions

Puerperal Sepsis: History, Causes and Interventions What is Puerperal Sepsis? Why is Puerperal Sepsis less prevalent now than 1900’s? Lynda Williams Abstract The purpose of the report is to understand what puerperal sepsis is and to raise awareness of the condition to expectant mothers, women that have miscarried, families and physicians. To understand the risks that is linked with the condition and to be able to spot signs and symptoms, as well as how to prevent further cases through aseptic techniques and principles and hand hygiene. The information that will be included is background information on the condition: what is it, how it came about, what treatment was used and what caused it. The report will include information on what are the symptoms, what causes it, who is at risk, how it can be diagnosed, how to treat it, what are the complications and how to prevent further cases from occurring. The report will focus on national statistics for the UK. This will include statistics to show how the prevalence of puerperal sepsis within the UK has decreased from 1900’s to today through medical advances and research. The research used will be secondary: books, journals, and internet. Primary research will not be used as the report is based on facts and information that is already available through reports and medical advice. Contents Background/Historypage 4 Causespage 5 Symptomspage 5 Who is at Risk?Page 6 Diagnosispage 6 Treatmentpage 6 Complications page 7 Preventionpage 7 Analysis of Statisticspage 8 Conclusionpage 8 Recommendationpage 8 Referencespage 9 Bibliographypage 10-11 Glossarypage 12 Appendixespage 13 Background/History Puerperal sepsis is a term giving to an infection that affect expectant mothers and those who have recently delivered. Infections within pregnancy can be severe as the genital tract has an increased surface area. (Knight, M. 2015). (Awori, N. et al. 1999). The infection can affect the cavity and walls of the uterus, which can lead to pelvic abscesses. The pus can spread high into the pelvis or into the lower abdomen. Infection tends to spreads after long labour or severe bleeding due to haemorrhaging which can cause peritonitis, septicaemia or death. (Awori, N. et al. 1999). Puerperal Sepsis formerly known as childbed fever or puerperal fever was a mystery; it killed those at the cruellest of moments. It was understood that wherever physicians went the disease became more prevalent, especially within hospitals. During the 1700’s it was believed women were delivered from the peril of childbirth, not deliver a child into the world. Physicians believed sepsis occurred when there was a failure to urinate, it then became known as ‘milk metastasis’ as the internal organs of those that had died looked like they were covered in milk, it was later identified as pus. (Burch, D. 2009). It was believed that puerperal fever was caused by various environmental factors: sewage, poor ventilation, cold, mists, vague ‘putrid tendencies,’ not bacterium and infection control. During the late 1700’s, Alexander Gordon leading obstetrician studied childbed fever and came to the conclusion that the disease was spread by physicians, it was related to skin infections and the only treatment was bloodletting. Bloodletting was widely accepted as a cure, however physicians understood more needed to be done to stop the spread of sepsis. (Burch, D. 2009). Causes Puerperal sepsis is caused by bacterium being introduced into the genital tract and women that are in labour or giving birth are more susceptible due to large genital tract surface area. The genital and urinary tracts have warm, moist environments that bacteria need to multiple. The bacterium can enter the body through pelvic exams, trauma during labour or prolonged labour. During pelvic exams the bacterium is introduced into the genital tract by unclean hands during examinations or through the use of non-sterile instruments. (Nall, R. 2014). Bacteria that are known to cause a puerperal sepsis include: Chlamydia Clostridium tetani Clostridium welchii Escherichia coli (E.coli) Gonococci Staphylococci Streptococci (Nall, R. 2014). Other causes of puerperal sepsis are mastitis, pyelonephritis, ruptured membranes, respiratory complication, first birth, poor socioeconomic status, caesarean delivery and superficial or deep-vein thrombosis. (Baring, N. 2013). Symptoms Symptoms for puerperal sepsis normally appear between 24 hours to 10 days after infection begins. If one or more symptoms are present, action should be taken and treat as appropriate. Women should be monitored closely for any of the following symptoms: Fever – higher that 38à ¢Ã‚ Ã‚ °C or 100.4à ¢Ã‚ Ã‚ °F Shivering and chills Uterus does not return to normal size Pain and discomfort in lower abdomen Tenderness and pain in the uterus Malaise Discharge from the vagina – foul-smelling and containing pus Pale and discoloured skin Short of breath Fatigued, difficult to rouse Altered mental state Edema Flu like symptoms (Nall, R. 2014) (Sepsis Alliance 2015). Who is at Risk? Any woman that is pregnant, has miscarried, aborted or delivered are at risk of sepsis but certain factors increase that risk. Women that are more susceptible are those that have liver disease, lupus a condition of the immune system, diabetes, congestive heart failure, are obese, first pregnancy, women that are under 25 or women that are over 40. Women over 40 are at risk of sepsis from infections due to placenta praevia and placenta abruption. Women that are underwent invasive procedures to become pregnant or invasive tests during pregnancy are more prone to infections that can lead to sepsis. (Sepsis Alliance 2015) Diagnosis Abnormal changes in the patient temperature, heart and breathing rate can indicate infection. The vagina and uterus will be checked for swelling and tenderness by abdominal and internal exams. Broad-spectrum antibiotics will be prescribed if sepsis is suspected to prevent the infection from spreading, long term damage to the body and death. Further tests will be carried out to determine the type of infection, where it is located and if bodily functions have been affected. These tests can include: Blood and urine test Wound swabs Blood pressure checks Ultrasound scan, X-rays or computerised tomography (CT) scan Organ function tests – liver, kidney, heart Lumbar puncture Stool samples (NHS Choices. 2014) (Nall, R. 2014) Treatment If sepsis is suspected broad-spectrum antibiotics will be given orally or intravenously to prevent infection spreading. When results from further testing have been received then a focused antibiotic is used to kill the bacterium. Anti-fever medication and cold compresses may be used to keep the fever under control. Oxygen may be given as levels in the blood can become low due to the body demand for oxygen. Intravenous fluids may be given to prevent dehydration and kidney failure, normally given within the first 48 hours after hospital admission. Sepsis can cause the blood pressure to drop; medication called vasopressors will be given to increase blood pressure allowing the patient condition to improve. Infection sites need to be keep clean and dry; pus to be drained away allowing infected tissue to repair and to prevent bacteria from entering. (Nall, R. 2014) (NHS Choices. 2014) Complications Sepsis can lead to serious complications and the damage can be irreversible. Complications for the women include: Septicaemia Septic shock Peritonitis Haemorrhaging Pyelonephritis Mastitis Pulmonary embolism Disseminated intravascular coagulation Abscesses Death Compromise fertility The foetus can be affected causing depressed Apgar scores, neonatal septicaemia, pneumonia and death. (Dharmaraj, D. Patriquin, G. 2012) Willacy (2012) wrote that severe sepsis can cause acute organ dysfunction and has a mortality rate of 20-40%. If septic shock develops the mortality rate rises to around 60%. Prevention Following aseptic techniques and principles is very important. Correct cleaning practice of hospital and home environments need to be followed and use of sterile packs and equipment must be used to prevent contamination; these must only be used once then deposed of. (Johnson, R. Taylor, W. 2011. p. 80). Physicians must exercise the correct hand hygiene techniques (appendixes A) and use antiseptic soap, washes, alcohol-based rubs and sterile gloves. By doing this it reduces the risk of introducing bacterium into a sterile environment. (Johnson, R. Taylor, W. 2011. pp. 73-77). Protective clothing: aprons, shoes covers must be worn to prevent spread of infection and contamination from one situation to another, these to be deposed of after one use. Use of non-touch technique is important by ensuring sterile equipment does not touch with anything unsterile to prevent contamination and potential for infection. The use of an assistant to open packs and equipment can reduced the risk of cros s contamination as it prevents touching anything non-sterile with sterile gloved hands. (Johnson, R. Taylor, W. 2011. pp. 80-82). Analysis of Statistics During the early 1900’s, just under 1.5% in 1000 births within the UK died from sepsis, greatly decreased on early years. Advances in medicine meant physicians were discovering asepsis was paramount in infection control. The introduction of carbolic spray in operating room, hand washing and rubber gloves were used to minimise contamination. Then in 1920, face masks were introduced into obstetrics to prevent contamination through body fluids. (Chamberlain, G. 2006). In the last hundred years there has been a significant drop in puerperal sepsis. In 2003-5 0.85% of maternal deaths per 100,000 births were a direct cause of sepsis, which means asepsis was tackling infection. However in 2006-8 there was a rise to 1.13%, through lack of knowledge, not seeking advice when unwell and through infection control. Sepsis is now the leading cause of maternal death within UK above hypertension, thromboembolic disease and haemorrhage, where there has been a reduction in these. It has been noted that over recent years that it has been hard to achieve a reduction in the number of deaths within the UK due to bacterial infections, more needs to be done in order to prevent maternal deaths and these statistics rising further. (Sriskandan, S. 2011). Conclusion Puerperal sepsis is now the leading cause of maternal death, which means more medical research need to be undertaken in order to reduce the number of cases. Sepsis through pelvic exams, trauma during labour or prolonged labour needs to be evaluated and assessed on how using aseptic techniques and principles can reduce the risk of cross contamination and introducing bacterium into the genital tracts. Over the last hundred years puerperal sepsis has declined significantly, however over recent years it has increased from lack of knowledge and infection control. The UK is a developed country and should have infection control and aseptic techniques and principles at the forefront of medical practice. Recommendations After miscarriages, during last trimester and during delivery broad-spectrum antibiotic should be given orally or intravenously to expectant mothers to provide the body with a barrier towards infections, this could reduce the number of cases sepsis. More training and awareness of sepsis and aseptic principles should be provided to physicians, to ensure understanding and they are being diligent in regards to infection control. Expectant mother and families should receive education through antenatal classes to learn the signs and symptoms of sepsis and what to do if they suspect it. Symptoms can be confused with flu like symptoms and education should be given to seek help and advice off midwives, health visitors and other physicians. References Awori, N. Bayley, A. Beasley, A. Boland, J. Crawford, M. Driessen, F. Foster, A. Graham, W. Hancock, B. Hancock, B. Hankins, G. Harrison, N. Kennedy, I. Kyambi, J. Nundy, S. Sheperd, J. Stewart, J. Warren, G. Wood, M. (1999) ‘Puerperal Sepsis,’ Primary Surgery, 1 [Online]. Available at: http://www.meb.uni-bonn.de/dtc/primsurg/docbook/html/x1831.html (Accessed: 20/04/2015). Baring, N. (2013) OBSTETRICS Puerperal Infection. Available at: http://www.slideshare.net/nianbaring/obstetrics-puerperal-infection (Accessed: 23/04/2015). Burch, D. (2009) When Childbirth Was Natural, and Deadly. Available at: http://www.livescience.com/3210-childbirth-natural-deadly.html (Accessed: 23/04/2015). Chamberlain, G. (2006) ‘British maternal mortality in the 19th and early 20th centuries’ Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine. 99(11). 559-563. [Online]. Available at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1633559/ (Accessed: 20/04/2015). Dharmaraj, D. Patriquin, G. (2012) Puerperal Infection. Available at: http://www.sharinginhealth.ca/conditions_and_diseases/puerperal_infection.html (Accessed: 25/04/2015). Johnson, R. Taylor, W. (2011) Skills for Midwifery Practice. 3rd edn. London: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier. Knight, M. (2015) What is a life threatening complication in pregnancy and childbirth? Available at: http://ww.healthtalk.org/peoples-experiences/pregnancy-children/conditions-threaten-womens-lives-childbirth-pregnancy/what-life-threatening-complication-pregnancy-and-childbirth (Accessed: 12/04/2015). Nall, R. (2014) Puerperal Infection. Available at: http://www.healthline.com/health/puerperal-infection (Accessed: 23/04/2015). NHS Choices (2014) Sepsis – Diagnosis. Available at: http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Blood-poisoning/Pages/Diagnosis.aspx (Accessed: 25/04/2015). Sepsis Alliance (2015) Sepsis. Available at: http://www.sepsisalliance.org/sepsis/symptoms/ (Accessed: 24/04/2015). Sriskandan, S. (2011) ‘Severe peripartum sepsis’ Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, 41 339–46. [Online]. Available at: www.rcpe.ac.uk/sites/default/files/sriskandan.pdf (Accessed: 26/04/2015) Willacy, H. (2012) Puerperal Pyrexia. Available at: http://www.patient.co.uk/doctor/Puerperal-Pyrexia.htm (Accessed: 25/04/2015). World Health Organizations (2015) Clean Care is Safer Care. Available at: http://www.who.int/gpsc/clean_hands_protection/en/ (Accessed: 26/04/2015). Bibliography Awori, N. Bayley, A. Beasley, A. Boland, J. Crawford, M. Driessen, F. Foster, A. Graham, W. Hancock, B. Hancock, B. Hankins, G. Harrison, N. Kennedy, I. Kyambi, J. Nundy, S. Sheperd, J. Stewart, J. Warren, G. Wood, M. (1999) ‘Puerperal Sepsis,’ Primary Surgery, 1 [Online]. Available at: http://www.meb.uni-bonn.de/dtc/primsurg/docbook/html/x1831.html (Accessed: 20/04/2015). Baring, N. (2013) OBSTETRICS Puerperal Infection. Available at: http://www.slideshare.net/nianbaring/obstetrics-puerperal-infection (Accessed: 23/04/2015). Burch, D. (2009) When Childbirth Was Natural, and Deadly. Available at: http://www.livescience.com/3210-childbirth-natural-deadly.html (Accessed: 23/04/2015). Chamberlain, G. (2006) ‘British maternal mortality in the 19th and early 20th centuries’ Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine. 99(11). 559-563. [Online]. Available at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1633559/ (Accessed: 20/04/2015). Colebrook, L. (1936) ‘The Prevention of Puerperal Sepsis.’ BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics Gynaecology, 43 691–714. [Online]. Available at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2210245/?page=1 (Accessed: 26/04/2015). Dharmaraj, D. Patriquin, G. (2012) Puerperal Infection. Available at: http://www.sharinginhealth.ca/conditions_and_diseases/puerperal_infection.html (Accessed: 25/04/2015). Encyclopaedia Britannica (2015) Puerperal fever. Available at: http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/482821/puerperal-fever (Accessed: 23/04/2015). Jessica Trust (2015) Childbed fever: the facts. Available at: http://www.jessicastrust.org.uk/childbed-fever/information-for-parents/ (Accessed: 24/04/2015) Johnson, R. Taylor, W. (2011) Skills for Midwifery Practice. 3rd edn. London: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier. Johnstone, W. (1938) ‘Prevention and Control of Puerperal Sepsis.’ British Medical Journal, 2(4049) 331-335. [Online]. Available at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2210245/?page=1 (Accessed: 26/04/2015). Khaskheli, M. Baloch, S. Sheeba, A. (2013) ‘Risk factors and complications of puerperal sepsis at a tertiary healthcare centre.’ Pakistan Journal of Medical Science, 29(4) 972-976. [Online]. Available at: http://www.pjms.com.pk/index.php/pjms/article/view/3389 (Accessed: 26/04/2015). Knight, M. (2015) What is a life threatening complication in pregnancy and childbirth? Available at: http://ww.healthtalk.org/peoples-experiences/pregnancy-children/conditions-threaten-womens-lives-childbirth-pregnancy/what-life-threatening-complication-pregnancy-and-childbirth (Accessed: 12/04/2015). Macdonald, S. Magill-Cuerden, J. (2011) Mayes’ Midwifery. 14th edn. London: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier. MedicineNet.com (2012) Definition of Fever, puerperal. Available at: http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=7921 (Accessed: 24/04/2015). Nall, R. (2014) Puerperal Infection. Available at: http://www.healthline.com/health/puerperal-infection (Accessed: 23/04/2015). NHS Choices. (2015) Peritonitis. Available at: http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Peritonitis/Pages/Introduction.aspx (Accessed: 23/04/2015). NHS Choices (2014) Sepsis – Diagnosis. Available at: http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Blood-poisoning/Pages/Diagnosis.aspx (Accessed: 25/04/2015). O’Connell, K. (2012) What is septicaemia? Available at: http://www.healthline.com/health/septicemia#Overview1 (Accessed: 23/04/2015). Royal College of Obstetricians Gynaecologists (2012) Sepsis following Pregnancy, Bacterial. Available at: https://www.rcog.org.uk/en/guidelines-research-services/guidelines/gtg64b/ (Accessed: 26/04/2015). Sepsis Alliance (2015) Sepsis. Available at: http://www.sepsisalliance.org/sepsis/symptoms/ (Accessed: 24/04/2015). Sriskandan, S. (2011) ‘Severe peripartum sepsis’ Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, 41 339–46. [Online]. Available at: www.rcpe.ac.uk/sites/default/files/sriskandan.pdf (Accessed: 26/04/2015) Willacy, H. (2012) Puerperal Pyrexia. Available at: http://www.patient.co.uk/doctor/Puerperal-Pyrexia.htm (Accessed: 25/04/2015). World Health Organizations (2015) Clean Care is Safer Care. Available at: http://www.who.int/gpsc/clean_hands_protection/en/ (Accessed: 26/04/2015). World Health Organizations (2015) Managing puerperal sepsis. Available at: http://www.who.int/maternal_child_adolescent/documents/4_9241546662/en/ (Accessed: 20/04/2015). Glossary Apgar scores designed to quickly evaluate a newborns physical condition. Asepsis the absence of sepsis or infection. Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is a serious disorder in which the proteins that control blood clotting becomeover active. Malaise is a feeling of general discomfort or uneasiness; normally first indication of infection of other disease. Mastitis is the inflammation of breast tissue. Peritonitis is the inflammation of the thin layer of tissue that lines the inside of the abdomen called the peritoneum. Placenta abruption part of the placenta comes away from the uterus wall), Placenta praevia – all or part of the placenta covers the cervix. Pulmonary embolism is a blockage in the artery that transports blood to the lungs. Pyelonephritis inflammation of the substance of the kidney as a result of bacterial infection. Septicemia is known as bacteremia or blood poisoning. Septicemia occurs when a bacterial infection enters the bloodstream. Appendixes Appendixes A – Hand washing techniques (WHO. 2015) 1 | Page Seamus Heaneys North Collection | Postcolonial analysis Seamus Heaneys North Collection | Postcolonial analysis Introduction The field of postcolonial theory is of increasing primacy within critical theory and literary theory. Postcolonial studies emphasise the re-emergence of cultural strengths and identities, personal, racial, national and the like. However, the term itself, and the existence of a field of critical theory and studies related to it, is still contested and debated. Situating a discussion or literary analysis within such a field could, therefore, be inherently problematic, although this author will attempt to justify why Heaney can be viewed as a post-colonial poet by dint of his work, not just the happenstance of his temporal and national placement. This essay will attempt to discuss and analyse the thematic and stylistic characteristics of Seamus Heaneys work, focusing on his North collection. The particular themes and dimensions of these poems are significant in relation to postcolonial theory because they so strongly related to aspects of his cultural and racial identity and heritage, as well as to his personal history and experience. Reference will be made within the essay to different critical views upon his work, and to the underlying and associated political dimensions of the context within which the works were produced. Discussion Ashcroft et al (1989: 2) state that the term post-colonial can be used to cover all the culture affected by the imperial process from the moment of colonization to the present day. It is a literature which emerges following the decline of the Empire (Cudden, 145). What each of these literatures have in common beyond their special and distinctive regional characteristics is that they emerged in their present form out of the experience of colonization and asserted themselves by foregrounding the tension with the imperial power, and by emphasizing their differences from the assumptions of the imperial centre. (Ashcroft et al, 2). Green and Lebihan (37) suggest that post colonial writing may be engaged in rewriting a particular version of history, or in challenging a forceful commonplace view of politics. Loomba (103) however, suggests that the issue is complicated because the use of the prefix post leads to the implication of a discrete era or discipline which is associated with an aftermath, one that is temporal, as in coming after, an ideological, as in supplanting. In the case of Heaney, one could view his writing as being a product of colonial heritage, because his style is so strongly related to traditional poetic forms, particularly lyric poetry, and because the evidence of that colonial heritage, in a post-colonial backlash, is all around him. The North collection was first published 1975, almost a year after the break down of the Sunningdale Agreement, which was followed by an IRA backlash? and a 15 day strike by loyalist workers which ended up in the disbanding of the Faulkner-led government. The years 1974 and 1975 have been described as some of the worst moments of the troubles, and it is no surprise, therefore, that Heaneys work should refer not only these occurrences, but to his ambiguous position in relation to them. The theme of violence is evident in the North poems in a variety of guises. those hacked and glinting/in the gravel of thawed streams /were ocean-deafened voices warning me, lifted again/in violence and epiphany. (from North in North, 1975) The consequences of violence death, decay and associated conditions, are also prevalent within these works. I can see her drowned body in the bog, the weighting stone, the floating rods and boughs. (from Punishment in North, 1975) This corpse is viewed by Heaney as a reflection of the Catholic women who, during the troubles in Northern Ireland, were publicly punished (tarred and chained to their houses) for dating and associating with British soliders. Violence as a cultural representation, violence as a theme, and the products and representations of violence, seem to dominate many of Heaneys works (Lunday, 111). The land and the violence associated with the people of the land seem to be inextricably linked. In terms of style, this extract shows while Heaney embraces simple, poetic beauty of language, it is this very beauty which starkly contrasts with his subject. The way in which Heany sets out to depict adultery and the tribal consequences of this shows a connection to both present and past. Yet this is no romanticised past, no idealised heritage to generate a strong sense of nationalism. I almost love you / but would have cast, I know, / the stones of silence. I am the artful voyeur / your brains exposed and darkened combs (from Punishment in North, 1975) Johnson (2005) suggests that this poem serves to articulate and present the tragedy of a people in a place, the Catholics of Northern Ireland. The responses of the speaker to the adultery are very much linked with the context, and with an awareness that, within this context, no act that could be construed as impacting upon or connecting with the politics of the time is without consequences. Therefore, Heaneys postcolonial nature is traversing his roots in Northern Irish rural life, which allow him to make use of myth and certain unique aspects of the Irish experience, whilst also commenting on the contemporary context and the political conflict that forms the backdrop to the publication of these works. . The theme of death and bodies relates to his heritage and history in real ways. It could be argued that one of the central motifs in this collection is the bog, wild lands which carry the history of millions of years. This setting allows for the exploration of the past, and is how Heaney connects his political and ideological present with his past. Thus it is important linguistically and emblematically. . The themes of Heaneys North collection of poems can be viewed in relation to his heritage as an Irishman, and as the son of a farming family, and as someone who has a strongly emotive connection with the land of his birth (Johnson, 2005). These poems are specifically connected to the landscapes and the history of his life and heritage. Spirituality and religion is smaller, less obvious theme of these poems, and there are significant connections between the religious conflicts with which he has been surrounded, and the language of the poems, particularly in the choice to differentiate between the sacred and the secular. and found only the secular/powers of the Atlantic thundering (from North in North, 1975). Heaney also associates religion with violence (see earlier theme) in violence and epiphany (from North in North, 1975). This is unsurprising, given the issue of the troubles and the context within which this writing has emerged. However, this is not a comfortable or easy asociation, for the reader in particular, because the connection between the images of violence used and what the writer (and reader) must know and understand about Irelands history (such as the civil war) and its contemporary political stuggles, can perhaps be said to manifest within this writing in Heaneys trademark lyrical yet uncompromising style. Historical violence may be a mirror for current violence, as in, for example The Tollund Man, where the man is not more than the obvious, a sacrifical offering to this rapacious earth mother (Johnson, 25): She tighened her torc on him/And opened her fen. He is also, as with Punishment, a symbol of more recent victims of violence, which surround him as concepts, and as images, perhaps images too disturbing for poetic expression. While The stockinged corpses/laid out in the farmyards are a reference to Catholics murdered by protestants during the civil war (Johnson, 2005), Heany used the Tollund Man as a symbol and representation of the history of these bodies. He is all of those, from past to present, murdered for an ideology, as are the other bog bodies Heaney addresses, in a number of his collections. Parker describes this mythologising of the present through the past as Heaney casting around, like his fellow Northern Irish poets, in searh of appropriate strategies for addre ssing the political crisis. (131). I first saw his twisted face In a photograph, A head and shoulder Out of the peat Bruised like a forceps babe But now he lies Perfected in my memory. (Heaney 1969 The Graubelle Man). Here, we see the stylistic nature of the work as beig paramount. The poets love of, or reverence for, language, is evident here, as he pursues what Johnson (27) describes as evocative similes, which serve a number of purposes. The past perfection alluded to here is poignant because of the imperfections of the present, as if past violence becomes less appalling and more symbolic than present violence. He is using language of the present to capture and describe something that is past and ancient, much as he does in his translation of Beowulf (McGuire, 80). This very much makes Heaneys work a product of his physical heritage (Parker, 19; Tuan 684), and he connects his feelings, history and the history of the politics and wars of past and present with the land upon which they have taken place (Evans, 54; Mitchell and Ryan, 8). Conclusion. The works of Seamus Heaney can be strongly argued to be post-colonial, because they are a clear product of a heritage which is profoundly marked and shaped by imperialism and colonialism. The history of his nation, and of his work, is to be found within the land, and within the words that he uses to evoke both. The stylistic features of Heaneys poems, especially the North collection, adhere to conventions of lyric poetrym and is amenable to traditional expectations about poetic form and launguage (Johnson 28). It is not surprising that thematically, and emblematically, violence, retribution, and religiosity, all find their way into these works. However, this author would also argue that these themes may be as much a product of the readers interpretation, based on a knowledge of the poet and his context and history, and this raises the question of whether the work of a poet can ever be divorced from what the reader knows about how and where the poetry is produced. The power of Heaneys words lie in his skill ful manipulation of language that adheres to familiar poetic forms but addresses powerful images and emblems. Overall, these works mimic the questions and concepts raised by the Irish troubles and show such issues played out linguistically, stylistically, and symbolically through petry that is at once stark and gentle, uncompromising and moderate.

Marketing Analysis Of Marks And Spencer

Marketing Analysis Of Marks And Spencer Success is the ability of a firm to do well than its competitors. By 1990s MS had been massively successful in terms of market share profit. Therefore, we can take up that the firm was overtaking its competitors in term of market share and profit. This was attained by different approaches. The companys maturity, strategies, philosophy and control of the value chain were all vital to its success. Strategy of product and service differentiation was the main feature for MS . The development of brand St Michael and its creation as a sign of British manufactured quality, at a sensible price were essential to the company. By providing a welcoming, co-operative service that guarantee superior shopping comfort and handiness to customers, distinguished MS from further high street retailers. The company quickly turn into a household name, with a solid corporate image, that could be trusted upon to give good value for money. This prepared it stand out from the rest and therefore more fruitful. As MS matured, and it advanced along its experience curve, it was able to benefit from an accumulation of experience, process innovation, economies of scale and improving customer brand loyalty (Porter M. 1980. pp163-164). This assisted the company to deliver improved service at a low cost, to customers who were less price-sensitive, thus assuring success. Simon Marks, well-known as aggressive Leader for his expertise over the business and his thought. His firm thoughts and realization of core values provided the company a strongly devoted ethos culture. This ethos was continued through the employ of staff that would fit-in and turn into part of the family. Staffs of MS were very faithful, which meant that they could be trusted upon to provide the true level of service to the clients. They actually were Customer oriented through the start of the business to be crucial to the success of the company. MS deployed a very thoughtful style of strategy, which empowered whole control of all features of the business. Thru its was effective years, the company kept and remained true to the durable core values, firstly set in place by Simon Marks. Every store manager tracked central route on all matters with devotion to rules and the company fundamental ethics and values. This confirmed that the MS image was steady throughout the nation and assis ted to support the business identity. The culture admired the policy and strengthened the companys victory through differentiation. Simon Marks recognized the market necessity for great quality at reasonable price. It was his trust that most of the British suppliers could arrange for these items and he rapidly forged close ties with his belief suppliers. This connection was so vital, it was incorporated in the companys central principles. Suppliers had to deliver products of the high quality and description and this assisted to give MS a large manufactured goods range that customers could trust on. The locked-in suppliers, captive distribution, owned retail outlets, effective in-house service network and strong after sales support meant that MS had a strong vertically integrated system that controlled most of the value chain (Porter. Ibid. p128). Guaranteed products from a assured chain assisted make MS so fruitful. The achievement of MS was not only owed to the company itself, a certain amount of good fortune is also required for any business to succeed , creativity, hard work and market requirement. Back in the late 1880s, Michael Marks had not continued with the penny bazaars or Simon Marks not carried back ideas from America proceeding how to advance the business, then it is more than probable that the company would not have been a achievement. MS was so effective because it occupied an area of the retail market that no one other had. It distinguished itself and continued high criteria in product quality and customer deal whereas keeping price reasonable. MS managers were devoted to the company beliefs and operated closely to produce strong links with British suppliers. Market Penetration: i.e. existing products in existing markets. Additional product lines have been offered in the food and clothing categories to gain more market share. MS has introduced a designer collection with the aim of entering different segments of the younger (Thompson, 2001). Also, different product ranges such as cosmetics, furniture, books and CD, financial services etc have been introduced. Certain marketing events has been introduced by MS such as growing advertising, employing an outside agency for public relations and launching the marketing department to take a more dedicated customer orientation. MS has upgraded its product lines through innovation. E.g. Buying in new fabrics and colours, increasing product offerings (MS 1998 annual report). Product Development: i.e. new products in existing markets. MS offers customers a more extensive choice based by the highest quality and safety standards. MS introduced in-store bakeries, rear-service delicatessen, hot food counters and so on into stores to differentiate itself from competitors for providing new selling opportunities for unique product ranges (MS 1998 annual report). Some innovative products are added such as washable silk, jumpers and etc. (MS 1998 annual report). Furthermore, MS introduces sub brand designer in order to supply a collection of womens clothing for the fashion conscious woman (http://marksandspencer.com, 18/03/02). Market Development: i.e. existing products in new markets. MS increased selling space by 410,000 sq ft in 1998 through opening 4 new stores, extending 16 stores and purchasing 19 selected stores from Littlewoods (MS 1998 annual report) in order to upgrade and make the stores more pleasure experience for the customer. Also, MS has opened a number of stores at UK railway station and airports. MS has tried to enter into the young segment by offering more fashionable clothing and introducing some designer brand. Moreover, MS is now offering a mail order for busy people and those living in remote areas. Mean while the company continued to established markets in Western Europe, Canada, USA, and the Far East, this was now being done via a franchise method. Diversification: i.e. new products in new markets. Apart from its core products: food and clothing, MS developed a new strategic direction within the UK through its diversification into financial services, home furnishings etc. (Maureen Whitehead, 1992). MS also diversified into US retail food market by purchasing Kings Supermarkets (http://www.clm1.org, 24/04/02). Until 1998, MS has already had more than 20 outlets. MS also diversified into the world market. They were following-up on their worldwide reputation that they had gained since the 50s by only selling quality items at value pricing. Current Strategic Situation: Due to successful again MS must to inspect what made them successful originally Simons Marks understanding of customer preferences and trends. This led MS to meeting the customers requirements in the market and launching some very solid core capabilities, which over time commanded to others. Though, where MS pass on wrong is that they lost touch with the developing market and hence requirements of customers; customers needs transformed but they didnt. To re-establish this success MS must certify they know the market exceptionally well and decide what section of the market they wish to acquire. By going back to their original rudiments, inspecting their existing strengths and deciding on a market segmentation strategy that best matches these strengths, MS should be able to become moneymaking once more. Continuous satisfactory market research must be accompanied to certify MS does not lose touch again with their target market as another blunder could critically damage the organisation . Today MS is operating in a highly competitive market where purchasers have a comparatively high percentage of disposable income and are spending large amounts. This gives them high negotiating power specially since they are well knowledgeable about competition and so it is important to use the most cost effective suppliers to be able to save costs and grow the profit. With modern manufacturing techniques consumers are expecting high quality even at this low cost. Buyers presume a minimum standard and a market accumulation situation had established. The large number of substitute products in the market today also helps makes it this highly competitive atmosphere; there are many other retailers having competition for both the top and bottom end of the market share. This necessitates MS to have an aggressive marketing strategy to recapture market share. MS needs to take opportunities which form on its current strengths and be cautious about current threats that could potentially lead to more difficulties. By structure on existing strengths or core capabilities MS should goal to strengthen its market place and form new competencies earlier boarding on a noteworthy expansion program. Once a number of strong core competencies have been established MS can consider dangerous growth. SWOT Analysis STRENGTHS MS became Well Known MS has created a Good image for their customers. Their store locations were prime. Clothing is a requirement but several peoples also purchase a wide-ranging variety of clothes to match their different events or desires. Urge purchasing accounts for a high share of sales. Customers are continually purchasing new clothes to fill their wardrobes, either for the reasons of fashion or to switch worn-out stuffs. The UK industry is stronger in design fashion. Less common for people to get prepare their personal clothes than it was in the past. Costs of manufacture are dropping down as manufacturing is progressively being moved to inexpensive places around the world. WEAKNESSES Severe rivalry lead MS to heavy discounting that is grind down profit margins. The UK cloth trade has lesser output than leading European competitors is progressively being vulnerable by low cost foreign competition. Substantial brands have high profiles and their goods are relaxed to copy by counterfeiters with slight changes by competitors. Large chains dominate the retail sector and the only way to gain share in this mature market is to success to win customers from competitors. Speedy fashion variations can render items obsolete very quickly. Outmoded mail order collections are losing ground, as it is difficult to keep well-informed of fashion. Internet selling is unlikely to be significantly successful, as customers like to try on clothes and see the superiority of fabric and workmanship. Sales are periodic, with the greatest spending taking place in the run-up to Christmas, when more expensive coats and party wear are anticipated. Clothes are also common gift choices. The state of the reduced can have an important impact on sales at the top end of the market, as well as on desire buying. OPPORTUNITIES Men still spend less on dresses than women and this segment of the market remains underexploited. There is quiet sufficiently of probable for further merging in the market. The asset of brands such as Dorothy Perkins and the expertise of British retailers suggest there is probable for further growth abroad, mostly in the new EU member states. The ending of the MFA should lead to more discounts in the cost of products which could increase retail sales overall and/or cause consumers to trade up to items once elsewhere their means. Number of working women remains to growth, they will not only want more clothes for work but are also more probable to have the financial freedom to create clothes purchases. The industry remains to encourage a teenager marketplace for fashion-conscious 8 to 12 year-olds. THREATS Clothing chains from overseas, mainly those from Europe, such as Zara, have positively occupied UK high streets. Conventionally popular retailers, like Marks and Spencer, will have to adapt or face the harm of more market share to aggressive groups such as Arcadia. Both manufacturing and retailing are labour concentrated and are affected by legislature concerning minimum wages and working hours. The increasing participation of grocery multiples in clothing retailing is adding low-price volume to the market. A recession in the economy could cause men, in specific, to cut back on overall expenditure in this sector. In the current market environment a quantity of choices are open to MS now. These include: Founding a strategic union with another organisation This would involve an unwritten agreement with other clothes retailers not to encroach on each others market share. This would allow MS to regain strength in its original core business and so ensure it is in a better position to possibly expand into new markets in the future. Dis-investments In order to focus all its efforts on the recovery of the UK business, MS could divest or close non-core businesses and assets, which would allow it to focus only on core business until its market position is regained. Purchasing of smaller competitors To minor the level of competition and create trading easier MS could buy up minor retailers. This would give MS more control over the market and growth their market share deprived of making many changes. For MS to attain organic development and recover the market share they once had they neediness to initially toughen their core profit centres by selling more of their current merchandise to their current clients. After this MS can initiate to reconstruct its reputation for quality service and distinguish their products so customers observe them to be of higher value then the competition. By control the price constant this should help take back segments of the market missing to competitors. Once this is attained MS can remain to look at choices for product innovation. By introducing absolutely new and original products they can further strengthen their market segments. After this has been completed MS should begin to market their current merchandise to attract customers from fresh market segments through careful advancement planned by careful market research. Once they have recognized a position in other market segments they can begin to distinguish their merchandise within that mark et segment and additional strengthen their position. Finally, MS can initiate to once again increase by looking at new product options in completely new markets such as financial services. Therefore I would recommend MS primarily disinvest loss-making sub-sidiaries to allow the organisation to focus on upgrading its core business strength. This can be assisted by founding a strategic alliance with other organisations not to violate on each others market for the time being. Smaller competitors should not be attained at this stage until MS is in a sturdier financial position. Strategic Direction for the future: Internal Development: MSs will have to invest in training led to enhanced performance of supervisors and junior management. In-addition, MS will have to give people widespread roles through inspiration in order to help organization grow more smoothly. Inside the UK market MS will have to decide to revolutionize the store with modern look. The upgrading on design and layout for the store will have been introduced in an attempt to gain customer demands on convenience and to increase more shopping attractive. done Acquisitions: MS have to buy more stores as part of the growth programme; this will allow the company to double the number of locations. The store bought will then be altered into MS corporate style, with specific departments of the MS business (Welwyn Garden City). Joint Development: The relationship with suppliers allows MS to sharing knowledge and information throughout the supply chain i.e. MS worked with its suppliers e.g. Dupont to pioneer the use of the material Lycra for the mass market (case study). Future Resources of MS: Tangible:  ª Wide variety of high quality products with value for money, own-brand products  ª Hard working staff and good management team  ª Loyal customers Intangible:  ª High product value  ª Good image, so it will converted into high reputation  ª Buyer and staff loyalty  ª They will must have some Strong relationships with suppliers  ª Highly expertise expertise knowledge Human:  ª Supply-chain management; expertise in outsourcing  ª Outstanding services in purchasing and merchandising  ª Small hierarchy that will allow outstanding communications between head office purposes and stores. E.g. managers ask about employees opinions frequently to encourage argument and the expression of new ideas Successful strategic management requires winning, retaining and balancing resources. Performance depends directly on simple, mostly tangible, resources, but the growth of tangible resources is dependent on intangible factors. However, for MS, the loyalty of customers and the reputation is decreasing, the morale is shrinking and the cost is increasing (Kim Warren, 2002). The value chain analysis could be used to identify the organisational capabilities. Value Chain Analysis: SUPPORT ACTIVITIES Firm Infrastructure:  ª Subcontracting with suppliers as well as outsourcing domestically and internationally  ª Development of financial services such as availability of credit cards Technology Development:  ª MSs technologists working together with suppliers to gain knowledge about product development (e.g. with Dupont-Lycra)  ª EPOS system to help MS improve productivity so that it can respond faster to market changes  ª Customer ordering system (mailing system)  ª Having its own website for online selling, which allow customers to see products and service online Human Resource Management:  ª Good appraisal system for employees such as store Management training program and so on (Morgenstein Strongin, 1992)  ª Specialist advisers in key departments  ª Staff service initiatives Procurement  ª Minimising the environmental impact of their operations and merchandise  ª A well established supply base, with a high product specification standards PRIMARY ACTIVITIES Inbound Logistics:  ª Long-Term and non-contractual relationship based on mutual trust and understanding  ª Integrated business process with suppliers in terms of product specification, material management, quality control and so on  ª Sharing knowledge and information throughout the supply chain Operations:  ª Exclusive quality control in the operation process  ª Dealing direct with manufacturers instead of through intermediaries, understanding and controlling products from raw materials to finished goods  ª Subcontracting production with very tight conditions to suppliers  ª The costs of stockholding were carried by the supplier  ª Working across within franchises Outbound Logistics:  ª Franchise agreement overseas such as Greece, Indonesia, Thailand and so on  ª Good Store location Marketing and Sales:  ª Comfortable shopping environment  ª High quality products with good value for money  ª Wide ranges of products and services Services:  ª Offering the highest standard of customer care (Johnson Schole, 1997; Case Study) The value chain analysis helps MS identify the way to cooperate across different functions in the chain and then add more value to products and sustain competitive advantages. Having had the value chain analysis, the core competences of MS are as following:  ª Sourcing methods  ª Ability to deliver high value, reliable, consistent quality products  ª The trust from investors and customers  ª High quality of management 4.0 Evaluation MS Strategy: In order to evaluate MS strategy, the SFA analysis will be give below: Strategy Suitability Feasibility Acceptability Differentiation * * * Do Nothing Withdrawal * * * Market Penetration * * Market Development * * * Product Development * * Diversification * Internal Development * * * Acquisition * * Joint Development * * * Differentiation The company had serious consideration regarding the future direction of the company and its brand (St. Michaels). Because of its success in image, branding and quality, it is viewed acceptable to continue down the same road. Do Nothing The Do Nothing strategy has not been successful as it leaves MS behind in the market place, due to this MS has lost its continuous development in terms of quality, branding, customer values and so on. They have proven too slow to take action against those changes in a very competitive market place. Withdrawal According to the company inability to operate successfully in countries such as Canada, US, Fast East and some European countries as well as the Asian crisis in 1997, the choice left for the company would be to close the unprofitable outlets while remain operating in the other countries that still profitable. Market Penetration MS starts to introduce a number of new product lines in 1998 such as cosmetics, financial services, furniture and etc. however by the time they were introduced its competitors had already followed MS some successful strategy. Consequently, MS has lost its competitive advantage. Market Development Regarding to the acquisition of 19 outlets from the Littlewoods group this was suitable because it allowed the company to achieve its reposition in the market place. Product Development MS re-evaluated and improved a number of product lines mainly in the food and lady clothing, but also entered into the furnishing business. The food lines improved MSs profitability; however, the clothing and soft furnishing have not yet been able to compete with high street competitors. Diversification MS had taken their standard strategy formula and tried to stall it in their overseas operations, but they did not take the culture differences and other risks, i.e. economic, commercial and political. Internal Development The modernization of outlets, the retraining of employee and upgrading their central purchasing system helped MS to be more competitive in the marketplace. Acquisition MS acquired the 19 stores from Littelwoods for the purpose of adding them to the up-grading programme with the purpose of adding to the companys property assets. The company also acquired the food chain King Supermarkets in the United State, this operation operates under its own name. Joint Development MS required new ideas to add excitement to its product lines and therefore enhance the shopping experience of their customers. The failure of MSs suppliers to develop possible new products has been viewed as a failure in their relationship which had to be addressed without delay. The problem was due to the past attention had been given to quality and efficient delivery of the product, Marks Spencer standards have always be strict, the MS and not enough effort on focusing on their customers and what customer wanted from the relationship. When the customers feel satisfied then will be prepared to commit themselves to future purchases from the same supplier, this can be viewed that the relationship gives MS a real competitive advantages as well as economic 5.0 MSs situation: Text Box: Industry Saleshttp://www.coursework.info/document/3/4/4/44381/44381_files/image013.gif According to the life cycle, MS is sitting in the mature stage and the fortunes have been in decline. As the increasing competition such as from Next and Gap, the customer tastes changing and the short of experience of going overseas, MSs profit declined sharply from  £1,102m in 1997 to  £546m in 1999 and the share price declined from  £6.65 to  £4.61 (The Chartered Institute of Marketing, 2001). http://www.coursework.info/document/3/4/4/44381/44381_files/image014.gifGap Analysis: MS was very successful in product range and quality in the past; therefore, they overlooked the changes in the environment such as increasing competition, changes in customer tastes and so on. As a result, they remain do-nothing strategy without investing in product innovation, environmental monitoring or marketing, which led to the decreasing in profits in 1998. In order to fill the gap, MS should start to look at and change product and marketing strategies. Furthermore, different options should be looked at by MS such as brand identity (different brands for different segments), segmentation (more attention on key segments), diversification (for the financial service, they should choose the effective target audience and identify their needs and wants properly). (MS Corp. Press Office, 2001) http://www.coursework.info/document/3/4/4/44381/44381_files/image015.gif In the past, MSs strategy based on broad differentiation (image of good quality and wide range of products at affordable price). At the moment, its strategy was unclear because they were trying to do everything to maintain its competitive advantage. They are using unrelated strategies such as cutting costs (cost leadership) as well as trying to use differentiation focus by entering different niche markets (financial services and so on) as well as differentiating its brand through the range of products on offer. Consequently, leads to the company positioning in stuck in the middle. All in all, MS failed the sustainable competitive advantage hurdle. With fickle customers, changing fashions and intense competition, a sustainable competitive advantage is difficult to maintain in this particular sector. Although MS has plenty of attractive retail space and George Davies brought a magician, however, MS need to have some dramatic change in order to survive and revive. 6.0 Recommendation and conclusion: MS faces the toughest test of its ability to survive in the war of the High Street. It must not only defend its market share, but must also find ways of gaining back customers perception in terms of quality, brand loyalty and so on. MS required new ideas to add excitement to its product lines and therefore enhance the shopping experience of their customers (Dennis Adcock, 2000). MS is changing itself such as outsourcing and recruit more new and young employees. New strategies are in Place: an upmarket clothing line has been introduced, returning to selling only own-brand products, stores have been revamped, top management appointments made, the utilization of Microsoft BizTalk serve and Window 2000 serve and opening out-of-town stores to shift surplus stock. The difficulty for MS is achieving the right balance between the corporate values that gave it its strong market position, and the innovation that is required to stay competitive. It is a tough time for MS and also the right time for a new broom, MS should get lessons from past and look at more about what is happening in the market place and change itself from the old way of doing things to a brand-new image in order to sustain its competitive advantage and regain its leading position. Reference: Books:  · Case Study from Declan  · Daft and Marcic, 2001  · Dennis Adcock, 2000, Marketing Strategies for competitive advantage; John WileySons Inc.  · Hartley and Palmer, 1999  · Jennings and Wattam, 1994, Decision Making An Integrated Approach, 2nd edition, Financial Times, Pitman  · Jobber, 2001, Principles and Practice of Marketing, 3nd Edition, McGraw-Hill Publishing Company  · Johnson, Scholes, 1993, Exploring Corporate Strategy Text and Cases, 3rd edition, Prentice Hall International (UK) Ltd.  · Johnson Schole, 1997, Exploring Corporate Strategy, 4th Edition, Prentice Hall  · Kim Warren, 2002, Strategic Performance connecting to the fundamentals of business dynamics, London Business School  · Morgenstein Strongin, 1992, Modern Retailing Management Principles Practice, 3rd Edition, Prentice Hall  · Naylor, 1999  · Thompson, 2001, Strategic Management, 4th Edition, British Library Internet:  · http://www.clm1.org/education/2001/ms.pdf, 24/04/02  · http://marksandspencer.com, 18/03/02  · http://www.statsed.co.uk/bes/bes_spring1999/28_2/sec2.htm, 19/04/02 Other Sources:  · Chartered Institute of Marketing, 2001  · Marks Spencer Press Release, June, 1996  · MS 1998 annual report  · MS Corp. Press Office, 2001  · Maureen Whitehead, 1992, Management Decision, Vol. 32 No. 3, 1994, pp. 38-41  · Pawlyna, Andrea, British retailer on the roll, Asian Business, April, 1996  · Welwyn Garden City, Deputy Head, Stanborough School Appendix 1: http://www.c