The Success Factors of Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon Essay Example

The Success Factors of Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon Essay The Success Factors of Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon Presented to The Department of Business Administration 2011-12 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This repost is studying the success factors of Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon. It will be collect the information and data from questionnaire survey and focus groups. Also, it will be through Value Important Performance Grid tool and SWOT analysis that more understand the performance and state of this marathon, then make some recommendation. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT This thesis would not have been possible unless someone who give the information support. It is an honor for our group to interview Mrs. Vivian So, the Executive director of HKAAA, and Mr. Wong Ka Man, an committee of HKAAA. Our group also would like to thank some participants who attend our questionnaire survey and focus group. Their view and information gave us a lot of help for this report. I would like to show my gratitude to my supervisor, Leonard Kwan and course leader, Johnny Chiu, whose encouragement, guidance and support from the initial to the final level enabled me to develop an understanding of the subject. Lastly, we offer our regards and blessings to all of those who supported us in any respect during the completion of the project. TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGMENT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS LIST OF TABLES LIST OF APPENDICES CHAPTER 1. INTRODUCTION 2. 1 Background of Event 2. PROBLEM STATEMENT 3. 2 Statement of the Problem 3. 3 The Assumption 3. 4 Methodology 3. 5 Limitation 3. FACTORS AFFECTING A EVENT 4. 6 Public Acceptance 4. 7. 1 Social Environment – Cultural 4. 7. 2 Lifestyle 4. 7 Support from Stakeholders 4. 8. 3 Commercial Sponsorships . 8. 4 Participants 4. 8. 5 Organizations 4. 8. 6 Non-profit organizations 4. 8. 7 Celebrities 4. 8. 8 General Public 4. 8. 9 Government 4. 8 Effective Event Management 4. 9. 10 Event Planning 4. 9. 11 Human Resource Management 4. 9 Publicity 4. 10. 12 Word of Mouth 4. FINDINGS 5. 10 Value Important Performance Grid 5. 11 SWOT Analysis 5. 12. 13 Strengths 5. 12. 14 Weaknesses 5. 12. 15 Opportunities 5. 12. 16 Threats 5. 12 Sustainability 5. 13 Potential for future development 5. CONCLUSION 6. RECOMMENDATIONS APPENDICES 2| 1. Introduction 1. 1 Background of the Event We will write a custom essay sample on The Success Factors of Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on The Success Factors of Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on The Success Factors of Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon is one of the most significant and brand sport event for Hong Kong. This sports event has been held annually every Chinese New Year. This event is large-scale, with local and foreign people participation. Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon has been gaining a lot of support from companies, organizations, public, government and tourist. Prior to Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon, it was named â€Å"Shenzhen Marathon† and was held in 1996. Due to the lack of funds, Standard Chartered Bank become the title was sponsor of â€Å"Shenzhen Marathon†. Afterward it has been named Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon. Since then the Marathon has been held for 15years. In the beginning, the number of participants of this event was limited thousand and the awareness was 1000. Until 2011, the number of participant has increased to more than 70,000 in 2012. 2. PROBLEM STATEMENT 2. 1 Statement of the Problem The purpose of this report is to find out the success factors of Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon. The event had a humble beginning, and very few Hong Kong people showed interest to join the race. After a few years, Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon has started to gain its popularity in Hong Kong year after year. The event has become a Hong Kong branded sports event now. This report is to study the factors that attributed to its success. This report also investigates the possible strategies to sustain its success in the future. Based on the participant number of Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon in past 16 years, it showed in Chart 1. The figure indicates that the participant numbers are growing year after year. This proved the event has been more widely accepted by people in Hong Kong than other sports. Hence, how to this event successes in attracting so many people to participate every year allows us to better understand the reason behind its success. Thus, it helps to project whether the event is sustainable in the future. 2. 2 The Assumption Our group assumes public acceptance, support from stakeholders, effective event management and publicity are the important factor of success event. 2. 3 The Methodology In this report, we had used primary and secondary sources of information for the analysis of the critical success factors of Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon. 2. 3. 1 Data Collection Secondary research First of all, we had found a lot of reference books in the library, for example, Successful Event Management, Event Sponsorship, Sports and Entertainment Marketing and Sports Marketing etc. Also, we will find the professional journals, such as the Journal of Business Research, Journal of Marketing Event Research, Journal of Marketing, Organizational Behavior etc. Then, we will have more information about the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon’ success factors. Moreover, we had found the sports magazine, such as Sportsoho, these helped us to know more about Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon. Moreover we found a lot of relevant information on the newspapers, such as, Singtao newspaper, Mingpao newspaper, etc. It can help us to find out more Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon information, such how can prepare for the event. Moreover, we had used internet to find more secondary information. For example, using Google to research information related to Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon. It can easy to research some useful information in the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon, such as, past history and year the participant situation etc. Also, we used Wise News to find some past news. Primary research First of all, we have interview with Miss Vivian, the Executive Director of the Hong Kong Amateur Athletic Association (HKAAA) to get more information of Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon. So, we can have more information about this event, such as the process of marathon, brand building etc. Furthermore, we had set questionnaires and used to interview with stakeholders such as, runner and supporter, to find out how they feel about Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon. We had interviewed them the days near the marathon. We had finished 384 interviews in different place, such as, sport ground, a competition area etc. Then, it can help us to understand the customer’s behavior and expectation. We are using the following formula to decide the number of questionnaire: n=[z * se]2 Where n = sample size n=[1. 96 * 50%5%]2 z= Confidence level =384 s= sample variance e= error acceptance The latest survey has a response rate 92 per cent, a sampling error of plus or minus 5 percentage points and a confidence level of 95 percent. On the other hand, after the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon, we had interviewed with focus groups who are amateur sport members from The Citizen Athletic Association and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Track and Field Team. We had interviewed with four focus groups that 5 to 6 people in a group. We had asked lots of questions on how they feel on the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon in order to help us to draw out the analysis. Lastly, we will use the following analytical methods to analysis the success factors of Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon. 2. 3. 2 Analytical methods 1. Value Important Performance Grid 2. SWOT analysis The Value Important Performance Grid can help us to evaluate the performance and areas of improvement of Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon. Also, SWOT analysis can let us more understand the relative strength and weakness of this sport event for organizer perspective. 3. Factors Affecting a Mega Event 3. 1. Public Acceptance Public acceptance is defined to be a clear identity and social statuses have a favorable position. Also, it get the support and love of people and their ideas and direction is have to the same goal that can establish a good reputation and word of mouth . For example, Echoes of the Rainbow movie made in Hong Kong, a low-cost film production. At the beginning, this movie had few people pay attention. When this movie received the best picture in the new generation of Childrens Film Unit Crystal Bear Award at the 60th Berlin Film Festival, there are many people start attending this movie. Since this movie had received an award, it caught everyoneâ⠂¬â„¢s attention about this film. More people accept that this king of film and story. In 2008 Beijing Olympics was very successful sport event. It is because the sportsmen from all over the world had come to support and participates in it. We all attach great importance to this event. It is because this game has good recognition. This paper approaches the topic by first referencing to the present environment under the categories of social and lifestyle perspectives of the living environment in Hong Kong. According to the findings, we conjecture the public needs and analyze how the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon can fulfill the needs and obtain public acceptance. 3. 1. 3Social – Cultural Since 1996, Lee Lai Shan won the first-ever Olympic gold medal for Hong Kong in the women’s mistral boardsailing class and was the first champion in the Asian Games representing Hong Kong, China. Since them, Hong Kong people started paying more attention to our Hong Kong Campaigns. And government started investing a lot more money and time in the promotion for Hong Kong sports. In addition, Lee Lai-Shan has received â€Å"the ten most Outstanding Youth Award† and the Bronze Bauhinia Star Award in recognition of her outstanding achievements in the international sports scene. A stating of her on a wind surf board was erected in honor of her near the beachfront at Cheung Chau. Hong Kong Sports Stars Awards is an annual election organized by the Sports Federation ; Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China. The purpose is to encourage athletes and teams to strive for excellence. Also, it can provide role model sand inspiration for Hong Kong young people, thus help to promote sports development in Hong Kong. Moreover, it can encourage the community’s involvement in sports to further promote the sport culture in Hong Kong. Among them, Lee Lai-Shan has won numerous awards including 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2004. Government has also encouraged the public to do more exercise. And it promotes different sports and exercise for us. Furthermore, nowadays people are increasingly aware about their health and peruse a healthy way of living. In the Leisure and Cultural Service Department of Healthy Exercise for All Campaign, Launched in April 2000, the Healthy Exercise for All Campaign is a territory-wide event jointly organized by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) and the Department of Health (DH). With the slogan of Daily exercise keeps us fit, people of all ages can do it, th e Campaign aims at raising the publics interest in exercising and encouraging them to exercise regularly so that they can understand the benefits of exercising to health. † This can show that doing exercise benefits for both body and mind. Also, regular exercising can improve the health conditions, and strengthens body’s resistance to illness, trains muscles, strengthens bones and helps prevent osteoporosis. In addition since the outbreak of SARS on 2003, the public awareness to public health exercise caused more people to do exercise. All their incidents coincide with the repaid growth of participants in Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon from 2001 to 2006. Moreover, running is one of the most popular sports and easily practiced by people of all ages. Also, running can enhance physical fitness, strength and willpower. Nowadays, running of the equipment has become more advanced technologically. The innovation of running supplies, clothing and footwear which become to more lightweight and offer better protection. Running gears are how made with more eye-catching color, preferred by ladies who want to live and run in a more relaxed mood. For example, running shoes are now ultra-lightweight. Shoes cage is widen to allow runners to wear comfortable with high-tech arch boosters and the stronger induction of the foot to promote runners reflex, increase their agility, run faster. Also, windproof and breathable jacket make running more comfortable and enjoyable. Furthermore, the technological advancements now even allow smart phones to measure the running speed and pacing. It is very convenience for runner and makes more people like this sport. 3. 1. 5Lifestyle â€Å"Lifestyle is a mode of living that is identified by how people spend their time and resource, what they consider important in their environment, and what they think of themselves and the world around them. † First of all, there is an apparent relation between slow economic growth and desire for participation in sports event. In 2003, Hong Kong has a Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and bully impact the Economic. A government spokesman explained that the March to May this year. The unemployment rate and underemployment rate rose to a new high. It is because of the impact of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome(SARS) on the labor market intensifies, consumption and tourism, the impact on industry layoffs increase with an overall decline in employment. † According to government year book2003 â€Å"The labour market worsened abruptly in the first half of 2003, mainly affected by the outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased from 7. per cent in the first quarter of 2003 to an all-time high of 8. 7 per cent in May-July 2003. † â€Å"Also, Hong Kong economic situation in 2003 can showed the unemployment rate and the underemployment rate surged to record highs in the summer of 2003, a consequent of an abrupt economic downturn under the impact of SARS. † (Chart 1) Chart 1 Unemployment and underemployment rates â€Å"Amidst the slackened labour market conditions, overall labour earnings and wages continued on a decline in 2003. The decline nevertheless narrowed down after the mid-year. †(Chart 2) Chart 2 Earnings and wages| year-on-year rate of change in money terms)| Since more people were unemployed, so that they have more time to use the spare time for exercise running. Also, running does not cost money and is a low-consumption activity that is good exercise for most people. Therefore, most people change their lifestyle. They are love to running. In addition, running is good for health. It is because most of doctors said that running could enhance the breathing health of lung. So people started paying more attention to running. (App1) The Hong Kong Anti-Cancer Society also suggests that people to do exercise 30mins every day, such as running. They claimed that, running can prevent the disease. Since then more people are interest in doing exercise. - Furthermore, the World Health Organization suggested people to do 150mins exercise every week. This can make the body became healthily and lengthen the life by 3years than without doing exercise. - - Therefore, people need to health and good life time, they take action to running. It can benefit for their health. It can show that the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon increase the participants join to after 2003. Moreover, every person has different a way of living and habits. Their lifestyle reflects the attitudes and values of a person. Ms Vivian So, the Executive Director of HKAAA said that â€Å"Running is not limited to any place and no need to pay any money. Anyone can do it. However, if one plays football, basketball etc one needs to have a large group of players. Therefore, running is very convenient. † This explains why distance running has become popular in the present busy lifestyle of Hong Kong people. Leung Yiu-chung a member of the Legislative Council also said that when he was young who like swimming, running, hiking, football, table tennis, volleyball etc. But most of sports need to have a partner. After he started working, it become difficult to find a partner does exercise together. Therefore, he chose running because he can do it alone. He has been running which run for more than 20 years. Ken Yuen, Hong Kong Commercial Broadcasting Corporation Limited of presenter said that running need only sport shirts, pants and shoes which can be done alone. Running is very convenient for him. There is one thing in a common, many people working busily. It is difficult to meet friends to do exercise together. Therefore, running can fit in to the lifestyle of new generations. Then, a study on consumer behavior can explain why people join the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon. We apply the theories of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs to explain it. Consumer behavior is the study of when, why, how, and where people do or do not buy a product. It blends elements from psychology, sociology, social anthropology and economics. It attempts to understand the buyer decision making process, both individually and in groups. It studies characteristics of individual consumers such as demographics and behavioral variables in an attempt to understand peoples wants. It also tries to assess influences on the consumer from groups such as family, friends, reference groups, and society in general. It is mean the consumer behavior is a buyer decision making process, it includes individual, groups. The groups are like the family, friends, media, leader or artist. Participant will influence with them when they make decision. Consumer behavior is The study of individuals, groups, or organizations and the processes they use to select, secure, use, and dispose of products, services, experiences, or ideas to satisfy needs and the impacts that these processes have on the consumer and society. Behavior occurs either for the individual, or in the context of a group (e. g. , friend’s influence what kinds of clothes a pers on wears) or an organization (people on the job make decisions as to which products the firm should use). We can understand consumer behavior is affect by individuals, groups, or organizations. The consumer behavior also knows peoples need. So, people join the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon is effect by their making decision and what they needs. Otherwise, the participant also will use their knowledge, experience to join it. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs (chart. xx) Maslows hierarchy of needs is a theory in psychology, proposed by Abraham Maslow in his 1943 paper A Theory of Human Motivation. Maslow subsequently extended the idea to include his observations of humans innate curiosity. His theories parallel many other theories of human developmental psychology, all of which focus on describing the stages of growth in humans. Maslow is use the terms Physiological, Safety, Belongingness and Love, Esteem, and Self-Actualization needs to describe the pattern that human motivations generally move through. - The Needs can identify why participants join the Marathon. Physiological need is base on eating, drinking. Participates need a healthy body. Safety is meaning ensure public safety, such as how the events management provides enough facilities to protect participants. Belonging and love is base on with friends, family together. Participants may join this event with friends, families. Esteem is the glory of participating in the race to makes them satisfied. The self challenge is when the participant makes a breakthrough in their finishing time or finishing the race by challenging their potential. - Participants join the race as they think that they can gain a great experience or achieve their personal goal in the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon. Chart 5 Through our questionnaires, we find that near a half part of participant motion that they join this marathon as for self- challenge. About 24% participants join because of the health. Impact of peer and family and honor respectively is 11% and 14%. Also, these had a 2% was participated with company or a litter bit number for other reasons. So, we would understand that achievement is really importance as the personal goal and this may cause the reason that why the number of participants is continuous growth. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Higher– Level Needs Lower – Level Needs - - 3. 2 Supports from Stakeholders It is important to cooperate with stakeholder in an event. A good stakeholders’ support can make the event more successful. In the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon, we can see that it has received a good support from participants, celebrities, general public and the government etc. 3. 2. 1 Commercial Sponsorship Sponsorship is a contribution to an activity (typically in sports, arts, entertainment or causes) by a commercial organization in cash, or in-kind, with the expectation of achieving corporate and marketing objectives. Sponsorship continues to represent a popular way of cutting through advertising clutter and reaching potential customers. Commercial sponsor can increase the media and marketing leverage which can let the event become more large-scale. The scale of a representative event can’t be too small. A large scale of an event can attract and increase the number of people to join or to pay close attention to it. Also, it can cause by the public and media to discuss and report the event. For instance, Cathay Pacific/Credit Suisse sponsored the Hong Kong Sevens Rugby Match was one of the successful model in the early years. Cathay Pacific/Credit Suisse was the title commercial sponsors. Because of the sponsorship, Suisse Hong Kong Sevens become more popular and large-scale. And, the event has been well known. Because it makes the event become more representative and attract the number of people to pay attention to it. Regarding Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon, because of the sponsorship of Standard Chartered Bank, making had more resources to promote the event. Also, commercial sponsor can increase the media and marketing leverage which can let the event become more large-scale. A large scale of an event can attract and increase the number of people to join or to pay close attention to it. A part from that, it can cause by the public and media to discuss and report the event. Therefore, it prove that commercial sponsor is also one of the reason why caused the marathon be more success. 3. 2. 2 Participants The Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon started in 1997. Since then, it has been gaining in popularity. In the past thirteen years, it made record in entries every year. Now it has become a signature international sporting event in Hong Kong and was recognized as a Brand Hong Kong Event by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government. The continuous growth of the number of participants, it proves that people support the event. Chart 1 Also, Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon has attracted a lot of international athletes from over seventy countries and regions, including China, Chinese Taipei, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Japan, Kenya, Kyrgyz Republic, Malaysia, Mongolia, Morocco, Poland, the Netherland, New Zealand, Russia, Ukraine and Singapore. It is because people believe that Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon is a large-scale and well-known running event. These may cause that why they are interested and support for the marathon. Participants join the race as they think that they can gain a great experience or achieve their personal goal in the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon. Chart 5 Through our questionnaires, we find that near a half part of participant motion that they join this marathon as for self- challenge. About 24% participants join because of the health. Impact of peer and family and honor respectively is 11% and 14%. Also, these had a 2% was participated with company or a litter bit number for other reasons. So, we would understand that achievement is really importance as the personal goal and this may cause the reason that why the number of participants is continuous growth. A part from joining the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon, participants can achieve their personal goals. We find that about 70% of participants had joined more than one times. It can show that a great part of number were repeat participate. Chart xx Chart 6 Also, all of interviewer motioned that they will participate in the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon again. It can see that participant generality enjoyable and think the higher value than payable in this marathon. So, the continuous growth of the number of participants, it proves that people support the race. 3. 2. 3 Organization On the other hand, Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon also has attracted a lot of companies and organizations’ support. Some companies and organizations like Standard Chartered Bank, LI FUNG, Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants have joined corporate challenge or SME Marathon Cup. Furthermore other education groups include The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Baptist University, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University and The Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Educational etc. They were many staff and students who participated in it. The purpose that they may not to win for the race, they only want to have a nice day and enjoy the event. They may only want to express the support to a meaningful cause. These show that organizations’ support for the event. - For example, Standard Chartered Bank has 2800 staff running in Marathon 2012. It is means participants had affected by each other’s within these groups. Through the organizations we can identify the reasons that made this event became successful. 3. 2. 4 Non-profits organization Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon is a large-scale sporting event. Therefore it needs lots of volunteers to make the event orderly. Ms Vivian So, the Executive Director HKAAA, said that volunteers are important for an event and good services can attract potential customers. Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon had thousands of volunteers serving the runners and the organizer beyond the track to ensure the race can go on smoothly. Volunteer physiotherapists, overseas invited runners’ liaison team members and photographers etc. The volunteers in Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon come from all walks of life and all of them regarded the volunteer work very challenging. Therefore, it can prove that non-profits organization is important for an event enter in successful. On the order hand, in order to let the marathon carried out more smoothly, it s important to have non-profits organizations’ support, like Scout Association Hong Kong – Hong Kong Island Region, Auxiliary Medical Service etc. Without their support, the event can’t continue as such smoothly. 3. 2. 5 Celebrities The Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon has received a lot of support from celebrities. Since 2004, artists like EO2, Fiona, Sky etc, they played games with participants, sang and share their experiences on running at the Marathon Expo. On the day before the marathon, there was a cheering concert to boost the morale for participants and volunteers. These make the event more interesting and attract more potential customers to join. Also, Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon Ambassadors personally participated in the event, for example, Andy Hui, Alex Fong etc. These can prove that how the celebrities supported the event. Celebrities are important endorsers of the marathon. Therefore, from 2001 to 2006 the participants’ number has significant increase and one of the reasons that maybe participants want to support their idols. On the other hand, Mr. Donald Tsang Yam-Kuen, the Chief Executive, presented at opening ceremony and supports the participator. Moreover, lots of support from celebrities and famous people, likes Mr. Ricky Wong Wai-kay, Chairman of the City Telecom (H. K. ) Limited. Mr. Timothy T. T Fok, GBS, JP President of Sports Federation Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China, they helped promote the vision of Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon to their employees as well. These may attract more people to join the race. A part from these, it proves that the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon has received a lot of support from celebrities and these may cause the reason that why marathon are success. 3. 2. General Public Moreover, in order to let the marathon conducting more smoothly. Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon caused large scale road closure, making it inconvenient to a lot of people who live along the race track. However, no public protest against the road closure has been heard. According to Apple Daily on February 24, 2012 â€Å"Road closure would certainly cause inconvenience to some people, but for t he marathon road closures was definitely better than New Year Parade, fireworks, Celebration Parade is worth. † showing that the public accept holding a mega event like this. Also, Ms Vivian So, the Executive Director HKAAA, said that it can prove the popularity. The event has been support by the popularity, though it may have caused a little disturb to the neighborhood. It showing that most of the public accept for the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon and they are support Hong Kong for holding such kind of international activities. 3. 2. 7 Government Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon is now being recognized as a â€Å"Brand Hong Kong Event† and a â€Å"M† Mark sporting event by the Hong Kong Government. It has attracts more than 70,000 participants taking part in this challenge in 2012. In order to contain a greater amount of participants, government has done a lot of measures, such as road closure. Moreover, in order to let the marathon conducting more smoothly, Hong Kong Police Force and Hong Kong Road Safety Patrol had send out a great amount of human resources to support the race. On the order hand, Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon normally starts early in the morning (5 a. m. ). In order to support the marathon, MTR Corporation started its trains earlier. Also, those runners who could not reach the pre-set specific time limits need to board the official buses. These special service can see that how government support Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon. 3. 3 Effective Event Management 3. 3. 1 Event Planning Event planning is the process of planning a festival, ceremony, competition, party, or convention. Event planning includes budgeting, establishing dates and alternate dates, s

Santa Ana Winds and El Nino Essay Example

Santa Ana Winds and El Nino Essay Example Santa Ana Winds and El Nino Paper Santa Ana Winds and El Nino Paper The Santa Ana winds develop from an atmospheric pressure pattern, usually over the southwestern parts of the United States. Low pressure becomes lower off the coast as high pressure builds up over the intermountain areas to the east of southern California. The wind then blows in a circular motion, around the high pressure and moves toward the low pressure out toward the west. This sudden drop in pressure causes the temperature to rise because of the increase in pressure with the drop. The air becomes much drier as the air warms up and this is because there is no moisture in the air at the time. Strong winds having an easterly direction can form, depending on the gradient of pressure between the high pressure center and low pressure off the coast. One hundred mile winds that are hot and wet have been reported, in some instances. The Santa Ana winds are a type of Chinook wind that blows in many areas of the world that are close to mountains, and August is usually the month when these winds begin blowing, because of the elevated pressure system forms over the Pacific Northwest and over Mexico, where the low pressure forms. This north and south pressure variation builds winds that are strong and causes them to spill over the Sierra Nevada Mountains from the direction of the northeast. This air falls from the mountains and compresses, and this causes it to warm up and decrease in relative humidity. The air is already mostly dry because it’s in the desert, and this warming creates very low relative humidity. Large amounts of evaporation and vegetative transpiration from the Santa Ana can cause the soil to become extremely dry and there becomes a higher risk of fires in the state of California. State senior editor, Andy Bowers (Bowers, 2003) explains the California weather phenomenon known as Santa Ana winds. â€Å"It’s what’s been stoking the fires in the region.† We learn from Universe Today, (Universe Today, 2004) that â€Å"the Santa Ana winds, which blow across Southern California, are known to cause dry, fire-hazard conditions inland. New data gathered by NASA’s Quikscat satellite and its sea winds instrument shows that these same winds can help stimulate the marine environment. The strong winds blow from the land out to the ocean, bringing nutrients to the surface. Quikscat was able to measure these winds. These Santa Ana winds blow treacherously each year, while they cause cold water to rise from the ocean which brings many nutrients that benefit fisheries. The same article reveals the satellite observations of the Santa Ana winds effects on the ocean, during three windy days in February 2003, and according to these findings, â€Å"Quickscat was able to identify the fine features of the coastal Santa Ana wind jets. It identified location, strength and extent, which other weather prediction products lack the resolution in consistently to show, and marooned ocean buoys lack sufficient coverage to fully represent.† El Nino is an oscillation of the ocean-atmosphere system that is located in the tropical Pacific which ultimately affects the weather across the world. Increased rainfall across the southern edge of the United States and Peru is due to the consequences of El Nino and has caused flooding, droughts in the West Pacific that sometimes causes brushfires in Australia. It is extremely important to observe the weather conditions in the tropical Pacific. This area being closely monitored is crucial in predicting climatic changes for short time spans of up to a year of weather predictions. NOAA, in providing essential information, operates a system of buoys for measuring temperatures, winds and currents near the equator. Daily transmission of information is sent from these buoys and is accessible to scientists and researchers, who predict the weather conditions. When El Nino conditions are normal, the trade winds blow in the direction of the west and across the tropical Pacific and these winds add up surface water that is warm in the west Pacific and the surface of the ocean is close to one half of a meter higher in Indonesia than it is at Ecuador. During El Nino, normal, local weather patterns are changed. This disruption causes the trade winds to weaken and reduces the upswelling of cool waters in the eastern Pacific and it allows the pool of warmer water in the west to move eastward and toward South America. The Eastern Pacific and Central atmospheric pressure gradients lose strength close to the equator, which causes these trade winds to weaken. The ocean water temperature, near the surface is close to 8 degrees Celsius, higher in the west, while colder temperatures are reported off the coast of South America and this is due to the upwelling of cooler water which comes from the deeper levels in the ocean. The cold water is very rich in nutrients and supports higher amounts of productivity for various marine ecosystems and fisheries. Fisherman have been noticing the effects of El Nino for many years. During the months of December and January, they noticed that the ocean current was much warmer and they also saw that this occurred every year, during the same period of time, which caused the amount of fish in the water to decrease. Rainfall is discovered in the rising air that is over the warmest water and the east Pacific is mostly dry. Fishermen were the first to name the weather condition, â€Å"El Nino† which stands for â€Å"little boyâ€Å". They offered this name because El Nino showed up every year at the same time, close to Christmas. During El Nino, the trade winds grow calm in the western and central Pacific and leads to a depression of the thermo cline toward and in the west. At one time, El Nino was thought to have only affected areas in Peru, but later it was obvious that El Nino had a much broader range than anyone had ever suspected. The El Nino Southern Oscillation intensifies during different time periods, where many weather patterns are changed to great degrees and sometimes causes damage to many regions in the world. Meteorologists depend on NOAA, which is the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, because it has the responsibility of providing weather forecasts to the nation. These predictions can better enable people in areas around the nation to be equipped in preparing for dangerous weather conditions which can greatly affect their region. These weather conditions can range from droughts to severe storms across the world.

Case Study Analysis Of Job Sharing At Motorola †Free Samples

1.How does Motorola’s job sharing system fit with their business needs? 2.What particular needs do female employees face in work-life balance arrangements such as job sharing? 3.What are the advantages and disadvantages of job sharing to job sharers and their managers? 4.What cultural factors come into play in introducing job sharing into other organisations in an Australian context? 1. Motorola in order to remain competitive implement various work life balance practices which includes a job sharing system. A job sharing system requires the employees to work in a 12 hours shift for seven hours for seven days divided into four and three days a week. The full hour shift is divided into two employees equally. As mentioned in a case study Motorola plant operates 24 hours and 7 days a week, which means the work pressure is very high. Job sharing reduces the work burden on employees and helps them to remain productive throughout their work shift. This also enables the two individuals to work together and achieve the organizational goals effectively. It also creates loyal workers and helps the organization to retain talented and hardworking people who want more flexibility in their work hours due to personal commitment (Michael Page, 2016). The operators feel valued and satisfied at the workplace which directly increase their productivity and reduced the absenteeism ra te. It also prevents external recruitment and the cost associated with hiring and training new individual. Job sharing have enabled Motorola to operate 24 hours and 7 days with each employee committed to work efficiently to give them a competitive edge in the industry (Weinreb, 2011). 2. Job sharing for female employees is an appreciated arrangement in which they can effectively manage the work life balance but still there are certain issues female faces in work life arrangement. Female attrition rate is very high in organization due to the lack of flexibility in their workplace roles and responsibilities. When the work hours are reduced there are chances that the base pay will also get reduced accordingly. This directly affects their career development. In order to successfully carry out job sharing arrangement the availability of a job sharer is also very important. The job sharer should have same set of skills and abilities to complement the role of other employee. If it is not possible then the work performance gets affected. Women who perform night duty as a part of their job sharing may confront security issues and sexual harassment issues. The chances of performance appraisals also get reduced as the performance is measured as a team and not individually ( Richardson, 2009). Job share can mostly work in supportive roles; women who are into the role of senior level have to resume a full time responsibility or either compromise on their career (ACAS, 2011). Disadvantages to Job sharers and managers: 4. The successful implementation of job sharing arrangements depends a lot on Cultural factors of the country. While introducing Job sharing practices in Australia there are several factors that are to be kept in mind: Â  By taken into account these factors Job sharing can be introduced in Australian organization. Acas. (2011). Help & advice for employers and employees. Retrieved from https://www.acas.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=3568 on 4 May 2017. AIM. (2012). MANAGING IN A FLEXIBLE WORK ENVIRONMENT. Retrieved from https://www.wgea.gov.au/sites/default/files/AIM-Managing-in-a-Flexible-Work-Environment.pdf on 4 May 2017. Anderson, C. (2016). Why Flexible Work Is The Way Of The Future, And How Small Business Can Help. Retrieved from https://www.huffingtonpost.com.au/2016/04/01/flexible-work-jobs_n_9579456.html on 4 May 2017. Crampton, S., Douglas, C., Hodge, J. & Mishra, J. (2003). Job Sharing: Challenges and Opportunities. Retrieved from https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/10683863.pdf on 4 May 2017. Daniels, L. (2011). JOB SHARING AT SENIOR LEVEL: MAKING IT WORK. Retrieved from https://www.thejobshareproject.com/3434hjkv97fgb378fbv/jobsharefullreport.pdf on 4 May 2017. Michael Page. (2016). The benefits of job sharing. Retrieved from https://www.michaelpage.co.uk/advice/career-advice/making-your-next-career-move/benefits-job-sharing on 4 May 2017. Richardson, M. (2009). Making job share work: Australian women share their success secrets. Retrieved from https://www.google.co.in/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwj6uMLu1tXTAhWBQI8KHXeTBKEQFggtMAE&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.moirgroup.com.au%2F_literature_56452%2FMaking_job_share_work&usg=AFQjCNF7_NxEjodbJDqGfCm1aaumODrYhA on 4 May 2017. Weinreb, E. (2011). How Job Sharing May Be The Secret To Work-Life Balance. Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/work-in-progress/2011/10/24/how-job-sharing-may-be-the-secret-to-work-life-balance/#83dc967129c1 on 4 May 2017.

Corporate Responsibility in Fashion Retailing in Europe Essay

Corporate Responsibility in Fashion Retailing in Europe - Essay Example The European fashion retailers are faced with the responsibility of reducing environmental pollution (Grace, & Cohen, 2013). This is because these organizations conduct numerous activities that harm the environment, and thus need to be reduced. For example, the industry deals with clothes that are made with inputs such as nylon, synthetic, and acrylic that are made from non-renewable mineral oil (Balsiger, 2014). This means that the use of these resources leads to the disappearance of mineral oil from the environment. Synthetic fibers also do not degrade when disposed of in landfills, thus they cause pollution in the environment when they release harmful gases and particles to the air (Dupuis, & Dawson, 1999). The fashion industry handles the problem of the non-degradable materials by recycling them. The fashion retail sector also practices social responsibility to the environment by reducing the use of toxic chemicals, too much energy, and water. The industry uses these resources es pecially in the end processes of processing that include dyeing, bleaching, and cleaning (Martinuzzi, Kudlak, Faber, & Winam, 2014). Fashion retailers are also minimizing environmental destruction by minimizing the sale of clothes made from fabrics such as cotton that contribute to high amounts of pollution. The industry does this by selling apparel made from friendly inputs such as organic cotton and bamboo; Eco-Fiber is a retail organization that specializes in selling these types of clothes.

Network security tools Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Network security tools - Essay Example Wireshark along with insider are two open source programs that are essential for any cybersecurity threats. Packet filtering is a crucial component of ingress and egress filtering must be conducted. Network protocols tend to protect traffic within the realms of their own networks. However, embedding ingress and egress network filtering will ensure that outgoing traffic gets approval. Another great tool for networks security is Secunia. The functionality of Secunia PCI is to act as an IDS and an anti-virus system, a multi-beneficial aspect for network security. It scans the PC and identifies programs. It then supplies your computer with the necessary software security updates to keep it safe and scanning. One of the most prominent idea of this software. Secunia PCI  firewalls  provide comprehensive security measures that monitor activity within clients. If one machine is to be attacked by a host, the other machine automatically copies data in almost dynamic time that the user is n ot aware of the situation. Another great network tool is EasySoft is great third party solution that will halt an intruder from injection malicious code intro strings. This remedies against hackers and other malicious intruders trying to spoof the

Investigating and Analyzing Opportunities and challenges of implementing ERP solution projects in SMBs Essay Example for Free

Investigating and Analyzing Opportunities and challenges of implementing ERP solution projects in SMBs Essay To accomplish research objectives, the mixed method approach to research will be used. Both qualitative and quantitative data will be instrumental in investigating and analyzing the opportunities and challenges of implementing ERP solution projects in SMBs. Data will be obtained from primary and secondary data, such as books and scholarly articles about theories and models in ERP planning and implementation, and the findings or outcomes of integrating ERP in SMBs in actual situations from other studies. Key individuals from performing, including ERP solutions integrators, and receiving organizations, such as CEOs in receiving organizations, will also be interviewed to gain qualitative data that will address the research goals. The field study approach will be applied to obtain qualitative and quantitative data. The analysis of the qualitative and quantitative data that will follow the contrastive approach. The number of studies that look into the actual outcomes of ERP solutions is limited and the contrastive approach to analyzing data and perceived outcomes of the study will contribute to empirical knowledge regarding the actual or practical situations that take place when implementing ERP solution projects in running and managing SMBs. The succeeding discussions will provide details on the methods and approaches that will be applied to fulfill the objectives of the research. Research Design Field Study ApproachThe field study approach of qualitative and quantitative research will be used at different stages in the study to gather data and determine the opportunities and challenges of implementing ERP solution projects in SMBs. Scholars emphasized the value of a field study design in a theory-oriented research. Schwab (2005, p. 85) noted that the field study approach is instrumental in testing theories or models. â€Å"Field studies â€Å"are frequently used to test conceptual models with a number of independent variables† (Schwab, 2005, p. 85). One primary objective of the study is to compare and contrast theories in ERP and its integration to SMB business functions and processes to actual practices and outcomes experienced by performing and receiving organizations. The field study approach will be utilized gain qualitative and quantitative data from independent variables that will consist of participants from performing and receiving organizations. The data obtained from the field study will be tested against theories and models discussed in the Literature Review. The field study approach enables the researcher to understand a phenomenon within the actual context or environment in which it occurs through direct observation or interaction with the target population. The purpose of the field study approach is aligned with the objectives of the research. The lack of existing literature is one reason that prompted the study. Gaining practical data from performing and receiving organizations through the field study approach will validate and evaluate the reliability of existing literature about the process and outcomes of ERP implementation in SMBs. Qualitative data will be obtained by conducting interviews with receiving and performing organizations. The number of participants from receiving and performing organizations will be equally divided. Five participants from receiving organizations (CEOs, CIOs, and IT managers) and five participants from performing organizations (project managers or ERP solutions integrators) will be selected as the sample population based on the availability of the participants. The formal interviews will be guided by specific themes that are aligned with the objectives of the study to address research questions. The formal interview with participants from performing organizations, including ERP solutions integrators or project managers will focus on three key areas: project controlling, project monitoring, and risk management. The interview questions will be designed to draw the practices or strategies implemented by the participants in order to control or monitor ERP projects in SMBs and techniques in risk management to prevent or address potential risks accordingly. The perceived outcomes of project managers and ERP solutions integrators will also be determined and evaluated based on the actual outcomes of ERP projects in SMBs. The quantitative data will also be obtained from performing organizations. The success of project planning, management and implementation of ERP project integrators may be determined by evaluating the various areas in ERP implementation. The project plans that were completed will be the primary source for quantitative data. The project plans and the actual outcomes of implementation will be evaluated to determine how successful ERP integrators were in accomplishing project plans for client SMBs. Information from receiving organizations will also be instrumental in validating the success of ERP project solutions and in determining the opportunities and challenges that commonly occur during the implementation process. The formal interviews with participants from the receiving organizations will focus on four areas: change management opportunities upon implementation of ERP projects, the challenges that arise during ERP implementation, the quality of the implemented solution or its alignment to the goals of the receiving organization, and the satisfaction of the receiving organization throughout the project life span. The responses from the receiving organizations will determine whether ERP project solutions implemented by performing organizations opened up opportunities for growth and development in the former and identify accompanying challenges in ERP implementation that other SMBs should be prepared for when adopting ERP in business operations. The primary data will be obtained through the field study approach. The secondary data that will primarily be used in writing the Literature Review will be obtained from the Body of Knowledge PMI, Prince2 Body of Knowledge, and professional journal works. The various theories and models in ERP implementation and how the process is integrated to SMB business practices will be the focus of research to obtained secondary data. The PMI and Prince2 will serve as the basis or standard of evaluating the efficiency and success of ERP project plans implemented in receiving organizations.

The Ghost of Christmas Present :: Essays Papers

The Ghost of Christmas Present Christmas has consumed itself. At its conception, it was a fine idea, and I imagine that at one point its execution worked very much as it was intended to. These days, however, its meaning has been perverted; its true purpose ignored and replaced with a purpose imagined by those who merely go through the motions, without actually knowing why they do so. Christmas was originally supposed to be a celebration of the birthday of Jesus Christ. Modern historians suggest that Christ was actually born sometime in April, but that is hardly the point; the point is that a day on which to celebrate his birth and life was needed, and so one was chosen. During the season surrounding this holiday -- especially since it coincided with that of other, similar holidays -- it was thought right to honor Jesus by acting as he did, i.e., in a kind, generous, and forgiving manner. Out of this sprung the custom of giving gifts to loved ones on this holiday. However, as may be expected from our modern society, the custom of giving gifts quickly turned into the practice of exchanging them. If one gives gifts to loved ones at Christmas, the reasoning goes, then those who do not receive gifts from a person are obviously not loved by him/her. So each individual now is required to give a gift to all of his/her friends, or risk communicating to them that s/he no longer loves them -- or perhaps never did! Also, there arises another problem when someone gets a gift from a person to whom they did not give one. The logic here is that the one who gave the gift obviously has a greater love for or places a greater value on the friendship than the one who did not. A decidedly awkward situation arises from this, one can imagine. Gift-giving nowadays is no longer an act of kindness, but rather a political measure, taken to ensure one’s status with one’s acquaintances. While the general feeling of "goodwill towards men" still pervades the season, albeit filtered through television and municipal decorating projects, there is a great tension that precedes the actual Christmas holiday itself. I remember Christmases of my youth as enjoyable times, to be sure, but also as times when it was best to stay clear of my mother, who was inevitably in

Disaster Recover and Accounting

The aftermath of hurricane Katrina and September 11th 2001 attack was misinformation about financial positions of companies and individuals and misappropriation of funds meant for disaster recovery. Insurance companies were forced to pay some compensation based on financial statements which were prepared from insufficient records. After the two disasters accounting regulating body set out on how accounting should be recorded and reported in case of such disasters.Financial accounting is normally centred on the loses incurred during a natural disaster or a terrorist attack. Such events are recorded as extraordinary in the financial statement of companies and individuals. The recognition of terrorist acts in the financial statements should be treated as liabilities which can be measured if its impact is measurable in monetary forms. Attempts should be made by disaster recovery team to recover accounting documents for companies and individuals.During the September 11th 2001 much records were lost but the association of accountants came up with a standard for recognising such acts and the standards provides that in recording such liabilities sufficient information which is reliable should be obtained and the information obtained should be based on faith, verifiable and neutral. There was fraudulent financial reporting as regards to the position of institutions and individuals. In some cases most companies misstated their financial position to make them good while actually before the disaster they were badly of.The accounting standard board came up with the requirement for disclosure for loses of disaster. It provides that loses should be classified in a form of occurrence. The reporting effects of a natural disaster should be based on those natural disasters that are likely to occur. In the case of Katrina the government was compensating companies that made loses during the disaster. Most institutions and individuals lost their properties through the disaster, misi nformed because proper accounting records were not recovered.At one point forensic accounting was carried out to verify the proper financial position of some companies. However, fixed assets were recovered after the floods and were reported less the cost of reverting them to their original position. Intangible assets like good will were also recovered and were recorded to their original position. When such a disaster occurs good will of a company does not disappear. In accounting for good will and other assets the company should be able to show in the balance sheet the position of an intangible asset before and after a natural disaster. The date of the disaster should be quoted.In cases of natural disasters and terrorists acts, accounting reporting becomes very difficult but the accounting association has provided guidelines for reporting in the financial statement. The terrorist act and a natural disaster are the likely events to occur in a future date again. Therefore its reportin g should provide a provision in areas prone to disasters. Various governmental departments account for funds used during the disaster recovery process. In most cases it is found out that fraud and misuse of funds is rampant. At one point the military department was found to have misappropriated huge sums of money.

Future of Nursing Essay

Nursing career is one of the few fastest growing fields in the health care industry, not only in the United States, but also in the world. Nurse practice has drastically changed in the last decade and as a result the need for changes in nursing practice is becoming more and more important. The Affordable Care Act of 2010 (ACA) will place many demands on health professionals and offer them many opportunities to create a system that is more patient centered. The legislation has begun the long process of shifting the focus of the U.S. health care system away from acute and specialty care. Nurses should achieve higher levels of education and training through an improved education system that promotes seamless academic progression. The education system should provide nurses with the tools needed to evaluate and improve standards of patient care, and the quality and safety of care while preserving fundamental elements of nursing education, such as ethics and integrity and holistic, compass ionate approaches to care. The system should ensure nurses’ ability to adapt and be flexible in response to changes in science, technology, and population demographics that shape the delivery of care. An improved education system is necessary to ensure that the current and future generations of nurses can deliver safe, quality, patient-centered care across all settings, especially in such areas as primary care and community and public health. Enactment of the ACA offers a myriad of opportunities for the nursing profession to facilitate improvements to the health care system and the mechanisms by which care is delivered across various settings. System-wide changes are needed that capture the full economic value of nurses and take into account the growing body of evidence that links nursing practice to improvements in the safety and quality of care. The Joint Commission, the leading independent accrediting body for health care organizations, believes that â€Å"the future state of nursing is inextricably linked to the strides in patient care quality and safety that are critical to the success of America’s health care system, today and tomorrow†. Given the crucial role of nurses with respect to the quality, accessibility, and value of care, the nursing profession itself must undergo a fundamental transformation if the committee’s vision for health care is to be realized. The committee formulated four key messages for transforming the nursing profession: Nurses should practice to the full extent of their education and training. Nurses should achieve higher levels of education and training through an improved education system that promotes seamless academic progression. Nurses should be full partners, with physicians and other health professionals, in redesigning health care in the United States. Effective workforce planning and policy making require better data collection and an improved information infrastructure. A transformed system will need nurses with the adaptive capacity to take on reconceptualized roles in new settings, educating and reeducating themselves along the way- which are indispensible characteristics of effective leadership. Whether on the front lines, in education, or in administrative positions and health policy roles, nurses have the well-grounded knowledge base, experience, and perspective needed to serve as full partners in health care redesign. Nurses’ unique perspectives are derived from their experiences in providing direct, hands-on patient care; communicating with patients and their families about health status, medications, and care plans; and ensuring the linkage between a prescribed course of treatment and the desired outcome. In care environments, being a full partner involves taking responsibility for identifying problems and areas of waste, devising and implementing a plan for improvement, tracking improvement over time, and making necessary adjustments to realize established goals. The transformation of nursing practice that results from the IOM’s Future of Nursing report recommendations will have a profound, long-term effect on the profession of nursing. Nursing informatics professionals are uniquely positioned to aide in this transformation, as the management of individual and organizational change is core to its practice. By removing the barriers in the scope of education, implementing nurse residency programs, and building an infrastructure for the collection and analysis of interprofessional healthcare workforce data. . Technology will continue to be a fundamental enabler of future care delivery models and nursing informatics leaders will be essential to transforming nursing practice through technology. The following are the HIMSS recommendations for Nursing Informatics: Partner with nurse executives to lead technology changes that advance health and the delivery of healthcare. Support the development of informatics departments. Foster the evolution of the Chief Nursing Informatics Officer role. Transform nursing education to include informatics competencies and demonstrable behaviors at all levels of academic preparation. Promote the continuing education at all levels of nursing, particularly in the areas of EHRs and health IT. ïÆ'ËœEnsure that data, information, knowledge and wisdom form the basis of 21st century nursing practice by incorporating informatics competencies into practice standards in all healthcare settings. Facilitate the collection and analysis of interprofessional healthcare workforce data by ensuring data can be collected from existing heath IT systems. The transformation of nursing practice that results from the IOM’s Future of Nursing report recommendations will have a profound, long-term effect on the profession of nursing.

Essay on Peter the Great

Essay on Peter the Great Essay on Peter the Great Peter the Great What did he do to the outstanding success of Russia? Den Lauzon History 10 Ms. Newton December 3, 2012 â€Å"If my advice is just lost on the wind and you will not do as I wish, then I do not recognize you as my son.† These were spoken to Peter the Great’s son, Alexis. It symbolized Peter the Great’s love for Russia. He did not let his laggard of a son detract him from his love for his country. Peter the Great is a good example of one person who took many different actions to achieve absolute power over Russia. He accomplished so many things such as the formation of St. Petersburg. He created and implemented domestic reforms and reformed a powerful army and navy which fought many battles for Russia especially the Northern War. He was credited for dragging Russia out of medieval times. It was eventually considered as a leading Eastern European state. He did not want his country left behind, much less to be left vulnerable to the power of other European countries that were attempting to take away each other’s territory through wars. He planned a moderniz ation strategy for Russia that led him to success. Peter the Great spent his life improving his outdated country through his revolutionary ideas that modernized Russia into a powerful European nation. Peter Romanov was the son of former Tsar Aleksey with his second wife Natalya Naryshkina. He was born in Moscow, Russia on June 9, 1672. During his first four years of life, his father Aleksey died and left the throne to his brother Fyodor III ruled until his own death in 1682. Ivan V and Peter joined together to rule the throne. Unfortunately, Ivan V died and Peter was obliged to take over and rule Russia. Peter grew up in palace life with his mother. He enjoyed and showed interest in military affairs as well as shipbuilding. In addition, Peter studied mathematics, fortification, and navigation. As it turned out, Peter’s interest in Military and Nautical subjects provided a good foundation for him. He was the man with unwavering willpower, extraordinary energy, and supreme vision. He propelled Russia to the rank of major European power, while his personality and reforms have been an inspiration to generations of historians, writers, and ordinary Russians. With all the challen ges that Russia faced, Peter assisted and helped his country overcome them. As a result, Russia accomplished the power that is every country’s wish. Peter the Great became one of the most talked about Tsars in Russian history The brute determination and longing to create a successful country led him to form a strong military leadership. One of the most important reasons for the success in military initiatives was because Peter was determined to fight the other countries that they were not fortified and was unprepared. By the help of the first’s Russia’s professional soldiers called Streltsy, Peter gathered tons of Russians to join the army and follow him. The second reason was he educated his soldiers by hiring foreigners to enhance their capabilities by teaching military tactics. He also ordered men of upper classes to send their family to attend Western-style social events. Lastly, the educated army and navy fought against the Ottoman Empire that result a new route for trading. Therefore, Peter the Great produced a marvelous foundation for his military actions. Russia became one of the most visited countries in all time because of the fabulous and astonishing place it is. It has beautiful churches, big and admirable schools, and a wealthy and centralized economy. During Peter the Great’s term, he reformed the church, founded school for education, started a newspaper and transformed Russian’s economy. By the help of his travelling in disguise with his group called The Great Embassy they adopted the Western style and ideas. He was influenced to build churches, schools, museums, factories, hospitals, and others. One of the best supported institutions of Peter was the

The Awakening Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

The Awakening - Essay Example Though she chooses to act on her own, she fails to understand that freedom without responsibility brings about anarchy. While defying the Victorian ideals of femininity, she gullibly defies her motherhood and wifehood by deserting her children and husband. Her husband Leonce Pontellier appears to be the ideal Victorian male who is devoted to his family and remains busy in his business. Though Leonce effectively represents the authoritarian and possessive Victorian patriarchy, he –as a father and a husband- is less culpable. Before her romance with Robert, Edna’s relationship with Leonce was quite healthy. It essentially testifies that apart from the authoritarian patriarchal essence Leonce appears to be a good husband. Before the awakening at Robert’s second escape, Edna appears to be one of those heroines, of feminist metanarrative, who are aggressive to their men accusing them as their restrictive superiors. Chopin’s heroine also grows hatred for her hus band’s restrictions. She actively seeks a way out of it and begins to isolate her from the so-called male dominated society. She learns how to swim. Here swimming metaphorically refers to Edna’s perception of freedom. In the vast expanse of the ocean Edna can realize her own strength. When she is in the water, she perceives her position as an individual entity amid the universe. Until the readers reach the end of the novel, they mistake Edna’s husband Leonce Pontellier for a traditional patriarchal antagonist. Chopin presents the male characters as the passive patriarchal role-players of the society. Both Leonce and Robert cannot but succumb to the demands of the male dominated society. Neither Robert nor Leonce can be considered as villainous toward Edna. Rather the true villain, if there is any, is the society in which Robert and Leonce live. Chopin further explores deep into modern feminist metanarrative with a question how far it will be justifiable to conde mn motherhood and wifehood as the patriarchy-imposed restriction on women’s freedom. Far from portraying men as villains she attempts to impeach the society in a broader context for mutilating women’s freedom. Also she does not let a feminist go unquestioned. In the first place, she puts Edna’s role into question whether her decision to leave her husband and family is justified or not. She longs for Robert’s love. But she is not considerate enough to think that someone else such as her husband and children need her love. If she needs absolute freedom, she has got it. But even then she commits suicide because she does not get Robert’s love. Thus Chopin attempts to show that loveless freedom is meaningless. In addition, Chopin wants to purport that Edna is in search of freedom. Necessarily she asks the readers what Edna’s freedom is for. It is seems that Edna’s freedom is to fulfill her carnal hunger. She is infatuated with Robertâ€⠄¢s charm. But she seems to be oblivious to the aftermaths of such extramarital affair. Very likely, Chopin wants to say that the society which Robert, Leonce and even Edna herself are committed to is one based on the universal rules of human relationship. Robert’s awareness of adultery and his Declination from their extramarital affair are more of his respect for the marital agreement between Edna and Leonce than of his fear of patriarchal authority. Again through Edna’s attempt to attain freedom by distancing herself from

Exam questions of macroeconomics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Exam questions of macroeconomics - Essay Example Thus when there is trade barriers applied they protect the producers of goods and services from competing in the international market. It obstructs easy trade flows between countries. The importance of free trade in a globalized world economy can be seen from the following distinct advantages resulting from free trade. Free trade enables the countries to concentrate and increase the production of those goods and services in which they possess the comparative advantages in terms of economies in cost of production. With the kind of specialization in different products the countries are able to enjoy the economies of scale and this largely reflects in the final prices to the international consumers. The indulgence in international trade results in the enlargement of the market for the firm. The increase in market size lowers the average production cost and enhances the productivity of the firms. When there is increase in the international trade the world economy also gets a boost towards growth. Another distinct advantage that is very important for the world economy is the improvement in efficiency of the production processes which leads to a proper allocation of available resources. The more efficient use of resources automatically leads to increased productivity. A higher output in terms of goods and services is another distinct advantage resulting from free trade. The efficient allocation of resources in the individual countries contribute to the growth of the world economy as there will be an all round increase in production of goods and services which can flow between different countries without any restriction. The removal or reduction of tariffs and taxes will increase the benefits available to the consumers in different countries of the world. Because of the expanded market there will be increased competition among trades which will improve the quality of the goods and services which