Dhammapada Essay - 1247 Words

The Dhammapada is a Pali version of one of the most popular text of the Buddhist canon. The Dhammapada, or sayings of the Buddha, is a collection of 423 verses that tell about the ideals and teachings of the Buddha. When taken together, these verses provide a structured form of teaching within the Buddhist religion. These verses are a kind of guiding voice to the path of true enlightenment. The Dhammapada is a religious work that is meant to provide a certain set of religious and ethical values, as well as a certain manner of perception of life and the problems that life brings along with the solutions. Although the verses may be looked at as trying to create good or bad people, the verses are actually trying to get people to†¦show more content†¦Within the Dhammapada, the Buddha describes the bhikkhu as one who has wisdom and meditation. There is no meditative absorption for one who lacks insight; there is no insight for one who is not meditating. In whom there is meditative absorption and insight; truly he is in Nibbanas presence (V. 372). This verse states that in order to gain wisdom, a bhikkhu must meditate. However one can not meditate without wisdom. This idea seems to say that the practices of the bhikkhu must include meditation and gaining wisdom. The Buddhist monks engage in these practices because it is the way of the Buddha. Within the text, it is very clear that the Buddha finds meditation of great importance. If not directly speaking about meditation, the Buddha speaks about having a disciplined mind. It is good to restrain ones mind, uncontrollable, fast moving, and following its own desires as it is. A disciplined mind leads to happiness (V. 35). As well as having a disciplined mind, the mental state that the bhikkhu strives to cultivate is one that is at peace, developed, and guarded. Â…the bhikkhu whose mind is at peace experiences a more than human joy... (V. 373). Just the same, a mind should be guarded because a guarded mind brings happiness. A wise man should guard his mind for it is very hard to keep track of, extremely subtle, and follows its own desires. A guarded mind brings happiness (V. 36). ThroughShow MoreRelatedEssay on The Dhammapada1239 Words   |  5 Pages   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The Dhammapada is a Pali version of one of the most popular text of the Buddhist canon. The Dhammapada, or à ¢â‚¬Å"sayings of the Buddha†, is a collection of 423 verses that tell about the ideals and teachings of the Buddha. When taken together, these verses provide a structured form of teaching within the Buddhist religion. These verses are a kind of guiding voice to the path of true enlightenment. The Dhammapada is a religious work that is meant to provide a certain set of religious and ethicalRead MoreFour Noble Truths Of The Dhammapada815 Words   |  4 Pagespopular religious texts in the Buddhist world was and is the Dhammapada, which provides sayings and truths that shed light on this journey to nirvana. Out of the 423 Buddhist truths presented in the Dhammapada, numbers 20, 75, and 89 provide particular insight into the core teachings of the Buddhist religion and mindset. Each saying highlights a portion of the key principles present in the Buddhist belief system. Saying number 20 of the Dhammapada outlines the three unwholesome roots and how a man canRead MoreTeresa of Avila’s Way of Perfection and The Dhammapada1669 Words   |  7 PagesIn Teresa of Avila’s Way of Perfection and The Dhammapada there is a discussion of the conceptual metaphorical system and mysticism which is significant for â€Å"Metaphor, Mysticism and Spirituality.† The metaphorical concept of â€Å"path† is mentioned in both Teresa of Avila’s Way of Perfection and The Dhammapada. This metaphorical concept of â€Å"path† comes up in both texts but is mentioned in very similar but different ways and this is what makes it so interesting to look at. Although the conceptual metaphoricalRead MoreSiddhartha Gautama, Or The Buddha1045 Words   |  5 Pagesaround today. The Fourth Edict illustrates that AÅ›oka gave his officers and leaders of his empire the power to judge and to inflict punishment, but he only allowed them to do s o if they were fair, patient, and understanding. This reflects The Dhammapada, a collection of Buddha’s sayings in verse, one of the most recognizable pieces of Buddhist scripture. AÅ›oka wanted his people punished uniformly, but fairly. AÅ›oka has taken the concept of the middle path from Buddhism and applied it to hisRead MoreEssay about Comparison of Socrates and Siddhartha Guatama Buddha 880 Words   |  4 Pagesouter-worldly through mastering the worldly. Socrates relinquishes sensual desires in hopes of spiritual rebirth after death and achieving enlightenment in life. Buddha relinquishes the same ideas, but in hopes of living an enlightened life on earth. (The Dhammapada: Socrates Buddha Vs. Desire) My contention is to compare Philosopher Socrates from Plato and Siddhartha Guatama Buddha, and I will demonstrate their similarities and differences based on their practices and beliefs. 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The Dhammapada and Sutta Nipata, chapter 1, emphasizes the importance of disciplining our thoughts: â€Å"All that we are is the result of what we have thought: it is founded on our thoughts, it is made up of our thoughts. If a man speaks or acts with an evil thoughtRead MoreBuddhism Essay1537 Words   |  7 Pages Guide to the Tipitaka: â€Å"An outline of the Pali Buddhist Canonical Scriptures of the Theravada School. The is a unique work as it is probably the only material that deals in outline with the whole of the Pali Buddhist Tipitaka.† The Dhammapada: â€Å"The Dhammapada, or the Treasury of Truth, consist of 423 verses spoken by the Buddha on about 300 occasions in the course of his teaching ministry of forty-five years. The gems of truth embodied in these texts aptly illustrate the moral and philosophicalRead MoreThe Pali Canon and The Theravada Buddhism1086 Words   |  5 Pagessuffering follows as the wagon wheel follows the hoof of the ox. All experience is preceded by mind, led by mind, made by mind. Speak or act with a peaceful mind, and happiness follows Like a never-departing shadow. Source: Dhammapada 1.1-2 This piece of scripture shows us that we have the ability to choose the path we follow. Being aware of the reactions that our speech and actions create is an important aspect in being mindful and self aware. As we saw in the Buddhas firstRead MoreDevotion Is A Major Theme1608 Words   |  7 Pagesbegin, in Buddhism, they must devote themselves to bettering the self and releasing all worldly attachments. In this religion, the self is everything and it must be glorified. â€Å"If one knew oneself to be precious, one would guard oneself with care† (Dhammapada, pg. 42). In this line, it is saying that if a Buddhist devotes himself to becoming one with the self, a Buddhist must guard himself with care and good intent. Coupled with the devotion to the self, devotion to the eightfold path and the four noble

The Myth Of The White Hare Of Inaba Is The Oldest...

Compiled nearly 1300 years ago, the Kojiki is the oldest surviving collection of Japanese myths, which serve as the backbone for Shinto practices. Thirteen centuries later, those very same myths live on, sometimes in forms which could not even exist until about a decade ago. In particular, the myth of The White Hare of Inaba is reincarnated through a few modern-day games. It tells the story of a cunning rabbit who crosses the sea by tricking wani (translated as crocodiles by B. H. Chamberlain, but it can also be rendered as sharks) into lying in a row. The hare reveals the nature of his trickery, and the last crocodile enacts revenge by ripping off all of the hare’s fur. Eighty gods, all brothers, stumble upon the hare, but they respond to the rabbit’s plea for help by giving dishonest advice that only causes the white hare more pain. The eighty-first brother, named Ã…Å'kuninushi, then finds the hare and gives proper aid to restore the rabbit’s hide. In return, t he white hare of Inaba prophesizes that Ã…Å'kuninushi will marry Princess Yakami of Inaba, whom the eighty-one brothers sought to court. As can be seen through examples from Cardfight!! Vanguard and the Touhou series, the myth can be taken, reshaped, and used in a variety of ways without completely losing the original context. Before beginning, it is worth nothing that there are two versions of The White Hare of Inaba myth floating around, but not under Doty’s sense of the term â€Å"version†; rather, the two stories are

A Beautiful End of Rescue Operation Free Essays

In the last two decades when the world has been plagued by terrorism, violence, war, poverty, disease and natural disasters like tsunamis and earthquakes, the pictures of the amazing operation of rescue of 33 miners trapped in the copper and gold mine in Copiapo in San Hose, Chile will probably go down as this decade’s best loved story. Chile is a country in South America where mining for solid mineral resources take place.Earlier in 2010 the nation, which had celebrated 200 years of independence, suffered a devastating earthquake. We will write a custom essay sample on A Beautiful End of Rescue Operation or any similar topic only for you Order Now Not long afterwards on August 5, 2010 the nation was abuzz with the scary news that 33 workers working at San Jose Mine in Copiapo town had been trapped underground. If it turned out that the workers had really been killed, analysts said the event would only go into the record books as the worst mine disaster at that depth of 700 meters below the earth surface. Copiapo in San Hose, Chile inhabited by about 300 people is located in one of the loneliest desert and driest place on earth.Very inaccessible and too inhospitable. To add to the dreary scenario, the workers were buried 700 meters in the mines dark, damp and hot chamber in the bowels of the earth. It was not possible for the workers to find their way to the earth surface through an escape shaft usually provided in mines. Rocks had blocked it. And, so, the workers became totally trapped. Their ordeal began. They were no longer mining for gold and copper but fighting for their lives. Every minute counted. For seventeen days, no contact was made with the workers. It was assumed they had all died and buried in the mine rubble unceremoniously LEADERSHIP:- Providing able leadership at the nation’s hour of need President Sebastian Pinera moved base from his Santiago headquarters out into the desert of San Jose mine in Copiapo. There, he along with some of his ministers and aides; as well as journalist’s rescuers circus show artistes, Chileans miner’s families/relatives and several other sympathisers set up CAMP HOPE. Meanwhile, attempt to rescue the trapped miners began in top gear.The Chilean national flag of red, yellow and green colour was flying everywhere in Camp Hope Patriotism was thick in the air. With firm resolve, everyone was waiting for the biggest rescue ever of trapped miners in the history of the industry. If the rescue fails, it would be the worst mining disaster in 60 years in the country life. HISTORY OF INCIDENCE:-The Copiapo mining accident occurred on August 5 when the San Jose copper and gold mine collap sed, leaving 33 men trapped deep below ground. The San Jose Mine is about 45 kilometres north of Copiapo, in northern Chile.The miners were trapped at approximately 700 metres (2,300 ft) deep and about 5 kilometres, following the twists and turns of the main entrance shaft, from the mine entrance. The mine had a history of instability that had led to previous accidents, including deaths. Chile has a long tradition in mining, which developed during the 20th century and made the country the world’s top producer of copper. Since 2000, an average of 34 people have died every year in mining accidents in Chile, with a high of 43 in 2008, according to a review of data collected by the state regulatory agency.The mine was owned by Empresa Minera San Esteban, which had a poor safety record and has suffered a series of mishaps, with several workers being killed in recent years. Between 2004 and 2010, the company received 42 fines for breaching safety regulations. The mine was shut down after an accident in 2007 when relatives of a miner who had died sued company executives but the mine was reopened in 2008, despite failing to comply with all regulations, a matter still under investigation. Chilean copper mine workers are among the highest-paid miners in South America.Although the accident itself has put into question mine safety in Chile, serious accidents in large mines are rare. When the collapse occurred there were two groups of miners. A dust cloud occurred due to collapse of 700,000 tons of rock at the San Jose mine, blinding many miners for six hours and causing lingering eye irritation and burning. A first group of miners were near or at the entrance of the mine and escaped immediately without incident. The main group of 33 miners was deep inside the mine and included local workers and some subcontracted employees of a different company, who would not normally have been with them. The miners’ location and fate were unknown for 17 days, until a drill probing for air pockets poked through into a lunchroom where the men were waiting. The miners had listened to the drills approaching for days and had prepared pre-written notes to their rescuers on the surface as well as making sure they had adhesive tape to secure the prepared notes to the drill once its tip poked into their space. The notes surprised the rescuers when they pulled the drill bit out and discovered the letters; the miners having survived longer than anyone had expected.The note read: â€Å"Estamos bien en el refugio los 33† (English: â€Å"The 33 of us in the shelter are well†). Hours later, cameras sent down the bore hole made contact with the miners, taking the first images of the trapped workers. Although the emergency supplies were intended for only two or three days, the miners rationed them to last for 17 days until contact with the surface. They consumed â€Å"two little spoonfuls of tuna, a sip of milk and a biscuit every 48 hours† and a morsel of peach. They used the batteries of a truck to power their helmet lamps.The synergy of what a determined government, a united people, a positive community and support of science and technology from the international community can together achieve was up for all to see. Pulling out 33 miners alive from 700 metres or 2,000 feet below the earth, 69 days after a rockfall trapped them in the tunnel, in an operation that could have cost over 10 million dollars, will surely go down in human history as nothing short of the triumph of the human spirit. HELPING HANDS:- Following important agencies extended their help for the rescue of Miners- A) US Space agency NASAB) Fassi cranes- Italy based crane manufacturer C) Rescue Operations-Capsule made by Chilean military while winch and pulley built by Australian Company. A) US Space agency NASA:- In particular shortly after the trapped miners were discovered to be alive and coping, Chile called upon NASA to advise the rescue team on survival in extremely c onfined spaces. On August 31, a NASA team, including two doctors, a psychologist and an engineer, was reported to have arrived in Santiago to begin consultations.With preliminary estimates for the capsule rescue plan suggesting that it might even take four months to complete, the focus of this Chile-NASA dialogue was to facilitate the development of a programme to help sustain the miners during their isolation. The State Department said the discussions would touch upon whether the U. S. experience with extended space travel, particularly with respect to the International Space Station, could provide Chile with perspectives that could be applied in the context of the miners. B) Fassi cranes- Italy based crane manufacturer:-Cranes from Italy-based crane manufacturer Fassi Gru played a key role in the rescue of 33 miners trapped for nearly 10 weeks in Copiapo, Chile Equipment from Italy-based crane manufacturer Fassi Gru played a key role in the rescue of 33 miners trapped for nearly 10 weeks in Copiapo, Chile. Fassi cranes  lifted and placed  steel pipes that formed the  escape tunnel, which was  part of one of the most complex rescue operations in mining history. Following weeks of drilling and other preparatory work, removal of the 33 miners, via a narrow bored hole from 700 m underground, began  Tuesday 12 October and finished Thursday 14th.US-Chilean drilling company Geotec Boy les Bros. S. A. supplied the F170A Fassi cranes, which had a special configuration to help the operator maintain tighter control of fine movements in critical conditions and to allow the crane to be used for longer. â€Å"Everyone involved on site was working against time to bring the mining crew to the surface safely,† said Fassi spokesman Silvio Chiapusso. â€Å"We’re pleased that Fassi equipment is contributing to this effort. † Fassi Gru, through its local dealer Fassi Chile S. A. has been in Chile for more than 15 years. C) RESCUE OPERATIONS:- As three simultaneous rescue operations slowly drill through 2,250 feet of solid rock, the men were receiving detailed instructions on the latest plans to haul them out one by one next month inside a torpedo-shaped rescue capsule dubbed â€Å"The Phoenix. † DETAILS OF CAPSULE:- The Chilean military built the capsules (it made three) through which the miners were pulled out from their chamber. The winch and pulley system that hauled them up, however, was built by an Austrian company.NASA, with more than a half century of experience keeping astronauts healthy, supplied much of the food that was sent down to the trapped workers. The capsule was nicknamed PHOENIX. Each was fitted with a camera to monitor its journey into and out of the wide shaft drilled into the entrapped mine chamber underneath. Another camera was placed in the chamber to pick images of the mine chamber and the entrapped workers. Also, the rescue capsule had a provision for oxygen bottles, oxygen masks, intercom facilities and escape hatches, granted that there is trouble during rescue operations.The Phoenix, was painted with the colors of the Chilean flag, weighs just under 1,012 pounds and was equipped with WiFi communications and three oxygen tanks that allow the men to breathe for as long as 90 minutes. The capsule also had two emergency exits for use if the tube becomes wedged in the rescue shaft. In a worst-case scenario, the miner would be able to open the floor of the capsule and lower himself back into the depths of the mine. If the current rescue operations had failed, a Plan D calls for the men to climb ladders for hundreds of feet, a physical task so daunting that a personal trainer had been hired to coach the miners. pic] Once the rescue tunnel was complete, two people – â€Å"a miner a nd a paramedic with rescue training were ready for testing the capsule. † It was decided to send the paramedic who would administer medications and intravenous hydration to the men. Sedatives may be used if necessary to calm the men before the ride to the surface. Using health charts and interviews, the rescue coordinators were classifying the miners into three groups: the able, the weak and the strong. The miners were evacuated in the order, allowing the first group to serve as a test case for the more critical second group.The fittest men were taken at the end of the operation, which was expected to last nearly two full days. The rescued men were immediately taken to a field hospital. There the men were stabilized, then either kept on site for observation or flown by helicopter to a nearby military base or hospital. The help provided by US space agency NASA was invaluable. Before the close of October 13, 2010 all the 33 miners had been rescued. The dark, cold mine chamber underneath was empty. Unbelievable, the chamber pregnant with 33 â€Å"babies† had put to bed after only 69 days, delivering all of them safely.Each miner was usually welcomed to the earth surface with loud jubilation, clapping, cheers and singing of the Chilean national anthem. Thereafter, the capsule cage was opened to reveal him dressed as a miner and wearing a pair of dark glasses to protect him after emerging from the cage, the miner was carried in a stretcher through an inflatable tunnel to an ambulance which took him to a field hospital, also called a triage station, there, doctors check him before he meets with the president, his aides and his family, momentarily.Then, he was flown in a helicopter to Copiano hospital for two days’ observation. This procedure was strictly adhered to for all the miners. Hence, a BBC reporter on October 14, 2010 described the rescue operation as â€Å"a miracle of resilience, hardwork and mathematics:†vision from the sun he has not seen for 69-days. What’s marvelous is that the Chileans had demonstrated a can-do spirit that had made it possible to use disasters and emergencies to their advantage for recovery.Now, we hope that not only Chile but also the world will work together to use such a crisis as the mine collapse as a springboard to bring hope and new life to humanity. CONCLUSION/LEARNINGS:- Don’t use shortcuts in life, eliminate unsafe acts unsafe conditions to avoid accidents. A NEAR MISS TODAY COULD BE AN ACCIDENT TOMORROW. [pic] WE HAVE TO IDENTIFY AND RECTIFY THE UNSAFE ACTS, SO THAT ABOVE PYRAMID IS NOT COMPLETED! WE ALL ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ELIMINATING THE UNSAFE ACTS/UNSAFE CONDITIONS AT WORKPLACE!!! How to cite A Beautiful End of Rescue Operation, Papers

Analysing Organisational Environment & Corporate Strategy - Click Now

Question: Describe about Analysing the Organisational Environment: Corporate Strategy? Answer: Introduction This report is aimed at performing an analysis of a company that has achieved superior level of success in its performance in the past few years. In order to analyse the company, the specific company that has been selected is Apple Inc which has been a US based Multinational Corporation in the electronics industry. Apple Inc is operating at the international level and the company primarily deals in large range of electronic products such as computers, iPads, iPods, iPhones and many more. In order to analyse the performance of Apple Inc, this report is focused towards performing a critical assessment of the strategies that have been adopted by the company in achieving higher growth. An analysis of the financial performance of Apple would also be performed including the competitive positioning strategy as applied by the company. In analysing the companys performance, there will be the application of strategic models that would be carried out relevant to assessing its superior performan ce (Roland and Shiman, 2002) and finally, the strategy in sustaining its superior performance will be assessed. Based on the entire analysis, the findings will be summarised in the conclusion section of this report. Analysis of Apple and Selected International Division As analysed above, Apple Inc is a US based corporation that deals in electronic products that are highly innovative in nature. The company sells its products all across the world, and the most popular ones as includes within its product portfolio are laptops, iPhones, iPods, Ipad etc. However, for the purpose of analysis in this report, the specific segment that has been selected is iPhones which is mainly a type of smart phone offered by the company. The performance of Apple in relation to iPhone over the past few years would be assessed as a part of strategic analysis. An analysis of iPhone in particular indicates that it is a smart phone offered by Apple Inc, and it was first launched in June 29, 2007. After the launch of initial iPhone in 2007, the company has performed the launch of a series of iPhones and the most recent launch of its iPhone is iPhone 6. The company has achieved significant level of success with its iPhone 6 as this smart phone has enabled Apple in outperformin g its competitors in a positive way. Theoretical Description and Analysis of Strategic Management Principles There are various such theories and principles of strategic management that could be applied in assessing different important areas of an organisations performance. As for instance, in analysing the competitive positioning, an important strategic management tool is Porter Generic Strategy. As per this strategic tool, there can be the selection of a specific strategic position by the company from three different alternatives such as cost, differentiation or focus. However, a company can select only one strategic choice which could allow it in achieving higher level of growth and success in its performance. It could be either cost oriented, or focus oriented or differentiation. By focusing on a specific strategy, it could be possible to achieve higher success levels (Eldring, 2009). Apart from analysing competitive position, the assessment of the financial performance of a company can be possible through applying trend analysis which explains the upward or downward trend in respect to the companys performance. The value creation ability of a company can be assessed through the application of strategic analytical tool such as strategic resources management. The strategic resources management indicates the resources that are available to an organisation which allows them in achieving higher level of effectiveness (Ferrell and Hartline, 2010). Attainment of Superior Performance by Apple In respect to iPhones, Apple has been successful in achieving superior performance as compared to its competitors. The strategic analysis of Apple iPhones indicate that the company has been successful in introducing a series of iPhones and the most important thing is that Apple has been successful in bringing new innovation in each and every devices that it introduced in the market. Apple iPhone 6 in particular is an upgrade version of iPhone and it includes the application of most innovative and latest processor and operating system iOS 8. The company aims to offer something new within its iPhones so that it is attractive to users, and the iPhone 6 is also comprised of large number of such features that makes people to buy. The superior performance of the company in respect to its latest iPhone is evident from the fact that there are more than 73 million iPhones that are sold in last quarter which has been a significant achievement to the company (Smith, 2015). The definition of str ategic success is higher recognition of the firms product in the market and huge growth and development opportunity to such firms selling such product. An analysis of the superiority in the performance of Apple through various important measures is performed as follows: Competitive Positioning: The superiority in the performance of Apple iPhone 6 is evident from the competitive positioning of its phones as made by the company. Apple is already known as the most innovative company that provides high quality and innovative products to its customers. iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 plus as offered by the company are competitively positioned as the most significant phone in the smart phone segment whereby Apple offers its latest operating system iOS 8, and it also claims that the battery performance with its new iPhone is also highly efficient. The operating system as used by Apple has been highly competitive with Android operating system, and it was positioned as the superior phone in the market (Burrows, 2014). The positioning of iPhone 6 is done by the company as the most innovative iPhone and this has brought significant success to the company in terms of 73 millions units of iPhone sold in a quarter. The innovative focus of the company to offer something new has proved to be excellent to it in achieving success. There are various important areas that are paid attention by the company in its new iPhone 6 including the screen size, battery life, latest operating system, inclusion of new features such as Near Field Communication (NFC) and many more. The complete package of competitiveness is offered by the company in its single device and this has been the reason that 73 million units are already sold by the company in a quarter (Leather, 2014). The competitive positioning of Apple can be described by way of Porter generic competitive advantage model. An analysis of Apple indicates that the strategic choice of the company can be best described as differentiation strategy whereby Apple aims at achieving competence through its differentiating features such as its unique operating system, its premium quality products and many more. The company has utilised a differentiating strategy in order to target its customers and this has proved to be highly successful as evident from the increasing level of demands as faced by it (Kelly and Booth, 2004). Financial Performance: iPhone was initially launched by the company in 2007 and this is followed by the launch of series of iPhones. These innovative products as offered by the company have increased its sales and ultimately the profitability performance to a greater level. In order to analyse its financial performance, the revenue generation of the company including its profitability performance for the last five years is indicated in the table below: 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 Revenue 65225 108249 156508 170910 182795 Net Profit 14013 25922 41733 37037 39510 An analysis of the financial performance of Apple Inc over the five years in the above table shows that there has been a rising trend being witnessed with respect to the revenue earned by the company over the years, and also the profitability performance that has been achieved by the company. The growth in the revenue and the profitability of the company is an indicator of the fact that the company is doing well over the years. However, the entire growth and development cannot be attributed to the iPhones as launched by the company over the years because there are various other products that contribute positively towards higher growth and development. But the overall profitability performance as revealed by the table above shows that Apple Inc has been significant in terms of gaining good market share in the industry, and this is positively because of the innovative offerings as made by the company. The trend analysis also showed positive level of performance in respect to Apple Inc. Value Creation: Being a most innovative company, it is likely that the products as offered by Apple Inc are aimed at creating value for its customers. In respect to Apple iPhone 6, it is known as the value creating device by the company because the features in-built within it are aimed at providing some thing new to its customers (Kossowski, 2003). The value as received by customers is mainly in the sense that they get good impression from their friends and colleagues because Apple brand is associated with a premium class brand. The prices of iPhone 6 are set at relatively higher as compared to other smart phones offering similar nature of products. Apart from this, the value creation ability of iPhone 6 is also evident in the US markets whereby the huge demand for the companys product has resulted into its selling in the gray market. The brand is being associated with high personality and this is the reason for which people pay premium prices for its products (Dransfield, 2001). The value creation process of Apple Inc can be better evaluated through the application of strategic resources analytical tool. The strategic resources lists down the important resources that are available to the company, and in respect to Apple Inc, it has been analysed that there are wide range of resources available with the company. These include the brand name of highly innovative company, highly talented and innovative IT staff that accounts for performing innovation, huge RD department that accounts for performing innovative practices and resources in the form of technical experts that can revolutionise the performance of the entire company. These are the major resources that allow Apple in creating value for its customers, and because of these resources, Apple has been successful in introducing newer and innovative products to its customers and iPhone 6 is the result of such innovation by the company (Haberberg and Rieple, 2008). Conclusion and Recommendations A critical analysis of Apple Inc that has been successful in achieving superior performance in the last few years is performed and the performance of analysis revealed that the company has specific competencies that allow it in achieving improved level of performance. The ability of the company to innovate and provide something new to its customers along with its highly reputed brand name has all contributed in a positive way towards improved level of performance of its iPhone 6. It has been evaluated that the company has adopted differentiation strategy in its operation, and the financial performance of Apple also looked highly efficient as revealed by trend analysis. The evaluation of Apples performance also indicated that the company has been successful in creating values for its customers by offering high quality products and services to its customers. Recommendations: Although Apple has been successful in achieving highly improved level of performance, yet in order to sustain its performance, there are certain important recommendations considered essential in sustaining its performance. These are indicated below: The company should continue to innovate its processes and should try to offer newer products to its customers. For example, an improved version of iPhone with unique feature and capabilities (Angwin, Cummings and Smith, 2006). The customers of Apple iPhone are mostly attracted because of the ability of the company in offering something new and unique. As a result, the extensive level of RD should be carried out to offer something new to its customers (Allen, 2013). The human resources are crucial to performing innovation and it is therefore essential that the company should aim at retaining its highly talented employees which would contribute in a positive manner towards innovation and thereby allows organisation in sustaining its core competitiveness (Dransfield, 2001). References Allen, M. 2013. Analysing the Organisational Environment. Select Knowledge Limited. Angwin, D., Cummings, S. and Smith, C. 2006. The strategy pathfinder: core concepts and micro-cases. Wiley-Blackwell. Burrows, P. 2014. 6 Reasons Samsung Should Fear the iPhone 6 [Online]. Available at: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-09-02/6-reasons-samsung-should-fear-the-iphone-6.html [Accessed: 25 March 2015]. Dransfield, R. 2001. Corporate Strategy. Heinemann. Eldring, J. 2009. Porters Generic Strategies, Performance and Risk. Diplomica Verlag. Ferrell, O.C. and Hartline, M. 2010. Marketing Strategy. 5th Ed. Cengage Learning. Haberberg, A. and Rieple, A. 2008. Strategic Management: Theory and Application. Oxford University Press. Kelly, L., and Booth, C. 2004. Dictionary of Strategy: Strategic Management A-Z. SAGE Publications. Kossowski, A. 2003. Strategic Management: Porters Model for Generic Competitive Strategies-Theory and Analysis. GRIN Verlag. Leather, A. 2014. The iPhone 6: Has Apple Done Enough To Beat The Androids? [Online]. Available at: https://www.forbes.com/sites/antonyleather/2014/09/23/the-iphone-6-has-apple-done-enough-to-beat-the-androids/ [Accessed: 25 March 2015]. Roland, A. and Shiman, P. 2002. Strategic Computing: DARPA and the Quest for Machine Intelligence, 1983-1993. MIT Press. Smith, C. 2015. Apple may have sold a mind-blowing 73 million iPhones in last quarter [Online]. Available at: https://bgr.com/2015/01/26/iphone-6-vs-iphone-6-plus-vs-iphone-5s-sales/ [Accessed: 25 March 2015].

A Good Man Is Hard To Find Essays - A Good Man Is Hard To Find

A Good Man Is Hard To Find A Good Man is Hard to Find Flannery OConnors A Good Man is Hard to Find is filled with foreshadowing which the first time reader will not grasp, but leaps out of the pages for repeated readers. When first read, A Good Man is Hard to Find, the reader does not value the importance of the grandmother charter and her warning. She is thought to just be a rambling, nagging old lady. Even the grandmother does not realize the importance of what she is saying. The grandmother warns of the misfit in the first paragraph of the novel, Here this fellow calls himself the Misfit is loose from the federal pen and headed toward Florida and you read here what it says he did to these people. The first time reader simply sees this warning as the grandmother trying to persuade her son to change the vacation plans to better suit the grandmothers wants. Continuing thru the story the first time reader sees the grandmother as a not very smart woman, and she really is not very smart. She proves this by leading her family on a wild goose chase, looking for a house that is in a completely different state. Later on in the novel while the family is having lunch at a dinner the grandmother returns to the idea of the Misfit. Did you read about the criminal, The Misfit, thats escaped? asked the grandmother. To the first time reader this seems unusual to return to the thought of The Misfit, he was simply a thought at the beginning, so long ago that the reader had all but forgotten him. OConnor continues on with the story though, convincing he reader that we probably wont ever hear the name, Misfit, again. To the first time reader the ending of the novel comes at a complete surprise. Who would have thought that this sweat family could ever die such awful deaths. Who would have thought that the grandmother wouldve been right, and that the family actually would have a run in with The Misfit. When the reader reads the novel for a second time is when all of the foreshadowing leaps from the pages. The reader realizes in just how many ways the grandmother causes her familys deaths; The grandmother leads her family down the old country road to their deaths. She brought her cat along which caused the accident. She also tells the Misfit that she recognizes him which leaves him with no choice but to kill the whole family. It is ironic that the grandmother is the cause of the familys deaths in many ways, but she also warns of the Misfit several times. These warning where not taken seriously by anyone including the grandmother because they were not meant as warning, but to try to manipulate the familys travel plans. There are several instances that point to the fact that she(grandmother) is very manipulative.(Andra) The second time reader finds himself or herself yelling at the grandmother with each step the family takes towards their deaths. Dont go down that dirt road; leave your cat at home you fool! With the second reading the reader also detects much more of the foreshadowing into the families dark fate. In the opening paragraphs Yes and what would you do if this fellow, the Misfit, caught you? Also at the dinner the grandmother's warning are read in a very different way than the first time. This is a great novel to read, but must be read more than once for a true appreciation of how well OConnor fools the reader. By convincing the reader that the family would never run into to The Misfit, and that no harm would ever come to this normal family English Essays

William Blakes The Lamb and The Tyger.

William Blakes The Lamb and The Tyger. There are many things to compare when it comes to William Blake's "TheLamb" and "The Tyger." "The Lamb" is portrayed with clarity and morality.The two poems both have a concern for the natural world of God itself.Blake seems to have a high regard for the initiator of the Lamb but as onereads in "The Tyger", Blake seems to be perplexed as well as bewildered bythe tiger. He does show that he appreciates the living creature but he alsoadds that he cannot comprehend how anyone, or anything, could make sucha creature be graceful and at the same time be such a vicious prowler. Onecan understand the status of Blake's beliefs of the Tiger because of thestrong words he uses. He constructs many references to Hell, recounting "afurnace", "the chain", and "the hammer." (130). The whole poem is aportrayal of the potential construction of the Tiger.Wash drawing by William Blake to illustrate Mary W...To one a quote suchas, "What dread hand, what dread feet?" (130) can possibly center on theinitia l creator him or herself. Blake might be telling the reader the messagethat in order to make such a lethal being, the makers have to be fairly fatalthemselves. This might also lead one to the idea that Blake focuses on themere fact that there is two different creators in this world. In contrastthough he goes on to wonder if it is just one originator. "Dost thou knowwho made thee?"(120) show's the point exactly. Perhaps the creator is justone in a whole.Blake's capability to make both prowler and prey signifies his skill to createhuman being within the constraints of his own words. Many can understandthis correlation since in the world today a person can...

Probable Difficulties and Risks Associated With Using a Public Assignment - 1

Probable Difficulties and Risks Associated With Using a Public Infrastructure - Assignment Example This paper illustrates that as revealed in the case scenario of ING, it also had to witness similar difficulties when incorporating technology initiatives in its business process. Consequently, the company incorporated a more advanced internet network by building an extranet to offer a Web-to-host service that would enable the brokers of ING to rapidly access the mainframe data ensuring a time-efficient process in responding to the brokers’ needs. The incorporation of an advanced extranet system in ING was also expected to help in accommodating new partners. However, the technology innovation in ING was also criticized to limit the security of confidential data owing to the fact that through its inbuilt extranet system, the private data of the company would be placed over the public internet which would become easily accessible by unknown users. Such intrusions are quite likely to affect the customers’ privacy which is quite likely to ultimately affect the company in it s long-run performance. Another important security concern for the company can be identified as the database level. Due to lack of configuration in the database maintenance system through the newly incorporated extranet framework, any unauthorized employee or external user can easily hack the system and access to all the private information about the company. In order to mitigate its security concerns as a consequence of incorporating an extranet system, ING has been using two NT servers, i.e. a (Private Internet eXchange) (PIX) firewall strategy and an SNA gateway system. It is worth mentioning in this context that the function of the PIX firewall is to prohibit illegal access from the external users to the company’s data acting as an Internet Protocol (IP) firewall. The PIX firewall delivers the advantages of a ‘stateful firewall safety’ system and secures Virtual Private Network (VPN) access to the extranet system applied. The security protection software also provides scalable safety solution with failover support for chosen models to offer maximum dependability within the technology communication system.

Mobile computing and wireless communications for construction projects Literature review

Mobile computing and wireless communications for construction projects - Literature review Example At present, the majority of construction businesses necessitate flexibility for their staff about place and time. In this scenario, information and communication technology (ICT) and its products (such as mobile and wireless computing) offer the independence of mobility to members in the construction market and business. Additionally, the wireless connectivity and mobile technologies can be implemented in construction sites in an attempt to ensure real-time data transferred all through the business tasks (Garza & Howitt, 1998; Koseoglu & Nielsen, 2005). In addition, it is believed that the acceptance and implementation of modern technologies such as mobile and wireless computing inside the construction sector is not up to scratch, in particular when related to the considerable research endeavor and outlay taking place inside this sector. On the other hand, there are several instances of wireless computing, and yet location aware computing that have been implemented effectively within the construction sector and shown fruitful results. Moreover, these instances have demonstrated how successful implementations of mobile and Wireless Computing have received greater user acceptance and shown an amazing return on investment within one year of implementation (May et al., 2005). Furthermore, the mobile and wireless computing has gained popularity in the past few years. ... This paper presents the preliminary findings from a literature review focusing on the usage of mobile computing and wireless communications for construction projects. This paper will discuss different aspects of mobile and wireless technology, their advantages and disadvantages for the construction projects. Evolution of Mobile Computing Before we proceed towards the discussion on the use of mobile computing for construction projects, we must understand the theories and concepts related to mobile computing. Historically, the developments in the computer networking during mid-1970s have offered a great deal of support for the potential development of mobile computing technology. This technology has offered a reality of distributed computing that provides the capabilities for numerous computers and clients to communicate and share remote data and information resources over a network. It has also given birth to a lot of other related fields such as distributed computing, comprising dist ant collaboration and communication, high accessibility, fault tolerance, communication security, remote information access. In addition, with the emergence of high-tech laptop computers, the wireless networks and the incorporation of cellular technology with the Web, required the researchers to design new network technology based distributed systems for mobile clients. Additionally, the mobile computing that relates a lot of fundamental standards of distributed system design, and that as well expands this hypothesis to convene mobile users’ needs, offers a fundamental arrangement in which clients are able to access the similar point in the

International Crime Witness Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

International Crime Witness - Assignment Example Notably, as per the fourth amendment of the US, courts orders police not to involve in unnecessary seizure or search of any place or individual without any warrants. Furthermore, as per the Fifth Amendment, an accused cannot be forced by the court of law to make any statements that might act against his well being in future instances. Furthermore, to seek fast trail as per the sixth amendment is also another right of accused in the US that is taken into consideration by the court of law (Missouri Protection and Advocacy Services, n.d.). On the other hand, in the UK, criminal accused are provided with the right of appropriate hearing in the court. Individuals, irrespective of the nature of their accusation must availed proper legal hearing with the assistance of a well experienced solicitor. In the UK, accused will also have the right to see the evidences on the basis of which any decision can be taken against him/her by the court of law (Jacobson & Talbot, 2009). Different legal approaches also exist amid the two nations i.e. the US and the UK with regard to the treatment provided to the defendants. Defendants of suspects in the UK who is accused of a particular crime will need to encounter with several trails by the court of law. They will be liable to get legal assistance from the legal authorities of the nations so that his/her rights of getting a fair trial could be ensured (Talbot, 2012). Similarly, in the US court, criminal defendants are provided with equal opportunities to clarify their point or justify themselves as an innocent. Furthermore, fair access to the legal assistance provided by the government to its citizen, is also practiced in during trial proceedings of criminal defendants in the US. Once crime against a particular accused is justified and proved, he/she will be imprisoned in the US for a particular period of time based upon the

China S Big Mac Attack Media Essay

China S Big Mac Attack Media Essay American companies are charged with exporting American culture along with their products. This is not a new occurrence as this charge can be traced back to the sugar and tobacco trades of old. To further explore this accusation I will review two writings that attempt to tackle the subject, although from totally different perspectives. The first is an essay by J.L. Watson called Chinas Big Mac Attack which takes a laissez-faire look at the events that lead up to Chinas love affair with the fast food giant. The second writing is a book by Benjamin Barber titled Jihad vs. McWorld that presents a much darker look at multi-national corporations and their diabolical plot to capture the world. My contention is that neither extreme is correct, the truth lying somewhere in the middle as is the case with most complex issues. According to Watson in Chinas Big Mac Attack (2000), fast food restaurants have made considerable inroads into Chinese culture; consequently, he asks the question: Is globalism and its cultural variant, McDonaldization the face of the future? (Watson, 2000) An essential inquiry as we begin our examination of western influences on the rest of the world. First Watson professes to review the writings of the theorists who argue that transnational corporations like McDonalds provide the shock troops for a new form of imperialism that is far more successful, and therefore more insidious, than its militaristic antecedents (Watson, 2000). But instead of academicians, he analyses op-ed writers such as Ronald Steel and Thomas Friedman, who has noted that no countries with McDonalds have ever fought each other in a war (Watson, 2000). To further examine the riddle of the successful inroads made by fast food corporations, Watson next delves into the history of McDonalds in Hong Kong (a British consulate where McDonalds was promotedà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ as an outpost of American culture (Watson, 2000). Because of transformations in family life and traditional family values in China, Watson observes that McDonalds has taken advantage of a budding focus on the needs and aspirations of the modern Chinese family, especially given the lavish attention bestowed upon the single child, the little emperors and empresses who are particularly defenseless to the amusement of Uncle McDonald (Watson, 2000). Although, there are those that will disagree, Watson points out that McDonalds has become a target for public protests against America, which has amplified the symbolic load borne by the golden arches (Watson, 2000). McDonalds has countered by disciplining its employees and its customer base, and by doing so, has attracted an elite group flourishing within the modernized, consumer-based cultures that are emerging in markets around the world. McDonalds has ingeniously entrenched itself into the local cultures in such a way that it is increasingly difficult to see where the transnational ends and the local begins (Watson, 2000). The changing of cultural norms because of western impositions is further illustrated in Watson by discussion of the line which is first mandated by managers but later self-enforced by regular customers (Watson, 2000); ironically, public civility is now associated with western norms in Asian cities like Beijing. The cultural contrasts between fast food establishments in America and Beijing becomes more apparent, however, in Watsons discussion of how consumers in the Far East have turned the fast food restaurants into community centers where they can safely visit, read, or en tertain (Watson, 2000). Like James Watson, Benjamin Barber acknowledges in his book Jihad vs. McWorld (1992), that the concepts associated with multinationals such as McDonalds, Disney, and Coke are more powerful than military force: What is the power of the Pentagon compared with Disneyland? Can the Sixth Fleet keep up with CNN? McDonalds in Moscow and Coke in China will do moreà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ than military colonization ever could (Barber, 1992, p. 12). The first part of the book involves McWorld, the ever- growing service sector of the international economy, mainly as it manifests itself in what Barber calls the infotainment telesector, American in culture if not always in name. He sums it up in a score of brand names and pop icons: Disney and Paramount, Nike and Reebok, Madonna and MTV, Coke and Pepsi, Homer Simpson and Batman, Kentucky Fried Chicken and, needless to say, McDonalds. These multi-national corporations are, according to Barber, relentlessly promoting its ideology of fun at the expense of lo cal institutions and folkways, this virtual economy of images and lifestyles promises to become nothing less than a world monoculture (Barber, 1992, p. 58). For civic life, this is particularly bad news, Barber contends. Manipulated by promotion, spin, packaging, and advertising, citizens lose awareness of public matters, falling prey to passive consumption and devoting themselves exclusively to the satisfaction of their consumer wants. According to Barber in Jihad vs. McWorld we face two possible political futures both bleak, neither democratic [either] a Jihad in the name of a hundred narrowly conceived faiths against every kind of à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦social cooperation and civic mutuality, [or] one commercially homogenous global network: one McWorld tied together by technology, ecology, communications, and commerce (Barber, 1992, p. 315). Barber indicates that the forces of Jihad and the forces of McWorld operate with equal strength in opposite directions so as to create a centrifugal whirlwind that competes with a centripetal black hole (Barber, 1992, p. 315). Neither version is presented as a desirable outcome. Barber asserts that McWorld has eroded national boundaries because all national markets have become vulnerable to free trade and international banking / currency exchanges that allow and privilege transnational and multinational corporations and entities like the World Bank. On the surface, peace is fostered by open markets. Religious and racial markers become less important when the more important characteristic of being human is seen as being able to shop and consume. (Barber, 1992, p. 16). Furthermore, no one country can sustain itself as an autarky anymore; we are all interdependent. Even wealthy countries like the United States depend on resources (like oil) found in other areas of the world (Barber, 1992, p. 372). The flow of goods is paralleled by the flow of ideas across boundaries because of modern developments in science and technology, particularly in the integration of computer, television, cable, satellite, laser, fiber-optic, and microchip technologies that have given us access to information and people all of the time in all places (Barber, 1992, p. 108). Barber warns that capitalism and democracy have a relationship, but it is something less than a marriage (Barber, 1992, p. 126). Principally in ecological and environmental matters, capitalism has created greater inequality because the modern world cannot afford to allow developing countries to consume natural resources at the progressively more devastating rate that we see happening in the current consumer markets. The U.S. is experiencing, through increased immigration and more socially liberal views, a shift in family values. As the manufacturing base in the United States continues to be shifted abroad, the western culture remains the last product available for export. As we have already seen in discussions of changing families and values in the U.S., globally, these changes are taking root in many parts of the world, so that these debates between being a consumer or a citizen take on global implications. Six billion people consuming at the same rate that Americans now consume would inevitably lead to environmental destruction and disputes would lead to wars over natural resources. As Watson acknowledges, the question is no longer simply whose culture is it that dominates; the more important question is what will be the outcome of adventurism associated with rising affluence (Watson, 2000) as markets are opened and imports (and the Internet) make shopping a world-wide event? The question of prevention hinges on whether this phenomenon should be halted or prevented in the first place. The more alike all individuals are as a global people, the less reason there will be for wars. Most wars today are fought on the basis of differences. The difference in question may be religion, politics, race, or culture. Differences and diversity may be great if these items are dragged out on holidays or practiced in private. However, when these cultural or religious differences invade the work-place or the government, it is a recipe for disaster and exclusion. If Wal-Mart, McDonalds, and the American media can bring about this homogenyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦more power to them.

Lust, Violence, and Death in John Miltons Paradise Lost :: Milton Paradise Lost Essays

Lust, Violence, and Death in Paradise Lost    Images and allusions to sex and death are intermingled throughout John Milton's Paradise Lost. The character of Satan serves as not only an embodiment of death and sin, but also insatiated sexual lust. The combination of sex and lust has significant philosophical implications, especially in relation to themes of creation, destruction, and the nature of existence. Milton, in Paradise Lost, establishes that with sex, as with religion, he is of no particular hierarchical establishment. However, Milton does not want to be confused with the stereotypical puritan. Milton the poet, seems to celebrate the ideal of sex; yet, he deplores concupiscence and warns against the evils of lust, insisting   lust   leads to sin, violence and death. There is no reason to apply modern theories to Milton if we do not care whether Milton remains alive. However, if we wish him to be more than a historical artifact, we must do more than just study him against the background of his time. We must reinterpret him in light of the germane thought of our own age.-James Driscoll Images and allusions to sex and death are intermingled throughout John Milton's Paradise Lost. The character of Satan serves as not only an embodiment of death and sin, but also insatiated sexual lust. The combination of sex and lust has significant philosophical implications, especially in relation to themes of creation, destruction, and the nature of existence. Milton, in Paradise Lost, establishes that with sex, as with religion, he is of no particular hierarchical establishment. However, Milton does not want to be confused with the stereotypical puritan. Milton the poet, seems to celebrate the ideal of sex; yet, he deplores concupiscence   and warns against the evils of lust, insisting   lust   leads to sin, violence and death. From the beginning, Satan, like fallen humanity, not only blames others; but also makes comic and grandiose reasons for his evil   behavior. Yet, despite his reasoning to seek revenge against God, "his true motivation for escaping from hell and perverting paradise is, at least partly, something more basic: Satan needs sex" (Daniel 26). In the opening books of the poem, Satan is cast into a fiery hell that is not only is miserable, but devoid of sex. As Satan describes when he has escaped to Eden, in hell: "neigh joy nor love, but fierce desire, / Among our other torments not the least, / Still unfulfilled with pain of longing pine" (Book IV, 509-11).